Emeka Egbuka is among the highest-profile college football players in the name-image-likeness era to return to college. He did so in 2024, when he could have entered that year’s NFL draft and likely been a Day 2 pick. Instead, Egbuka gambled that an extra year in college would help raise his profile and elevate Ohio State to a national championship — and he won that bet.
Egbuka going in the first round of April’s draft wasn’t surprising, but the team that chose him turned heads, given that the Buccaneers had just re-signed Chris Godwin in free agency, still had Mike Evans and saw promise from third-round pick Jalen McMillan in his 2024 rookie season.
But with Godwin recovering from a fractured ankle suffered last season and McMillan on injured reserve due to a neck sprain sustained in preseason, Egbuka proved his worth as a valuable second option behind Evans in Week 1. He had four receptions for 67 yards and two touchdowns in his NFL debut, including the game-winner in the 23-20 victory over Atlanta.
