After a whirlwind introduction to the NFL, Bucs large receiver Emeka Egbuka is coming into his second season with one thing he didn’t totally have a 12 months in the past – his legs, his power, and a way of steadiness.
For Egbuka, the transition from faculty soccer’s greatest stage to the professional stage was something however sluggish. Coming off a nationwide championship run with the Ohio State Buckeyes in late January, his offseason shortly became a marathon of preparation for the NFL Draft. He went from the NFL Scouting Mix to his professional day and official 30 visits, which left little time for bodily restoration.
Possibly that defined why Emeka Egbuka had such a sizzling a begin to his rookie season, adopted by slower second half of the 12 months. Within the first 9 video games of the season, Egbuka shortly turned a star in Tampa Bay by recording 677 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. The corresponding eight video games noticed much less manufacturing with simply 261 receiving yards and no touchdowns throughout that course.
Bucs WR Emeka Egbuka – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
There have been many components as to why the Bucs had a troublesome shedding streak on the finish of the season, inflicting them to overlook the playoffs, and Egbuka’s sluggish decline could have performed a job in it.
Emeka Egbuka Feels Solely Higher Going Into This Season
Now, with that have behind Emeka Egbuka and a full offseason to focus simply on being a Buccaneer slightly than getting ready for the draft, the younger receiver is starting to really feel like himself once more.
“It’s been amazing,” Egbuka mentioned. “I feel like I got my legs back a little bit last year coming off of a national championship and doing the whole rookie thing – Combine, everything like that. It’s definitely a long offseason, you never really feel like you got a break. So I think after the season last year I was able to take some time off my legs, kind of work my way back into training in a good amount of time and I was able to lean up, put on some muscle. I feel very conditioned, very in shape, feel very strong, healthy. I think it was all positive.”
Bucs WRs Chris Godwin Jr. and Emeka Egbuka – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
That reset could also be precisely what Egbuka wanted, as he does look leaner and extra muscular than he did a 12 months in the past. The flashes of his expertise have been evident all year long. He had crisp route working and the flexibility to create separation together with stable catch passing expertise. However like many rookies, consistency was a problem as Egbuka navigated the bodily toll of an extended season and the psychological calls for of a extra advanced playbook.
Now more healthy and stronger, Egbuka is exhibiting indicators of turning these flashes into manufacturing.
There’s appears to already be a distinction. Egbuka has extra go off the road, sharper cuts on the prime of routes, and an total confidence that comes from feeling totally ready bodily. The added muscle hasn’t slowed him down — if something, it’s enhanced his capacity to struggle by way of contact and end performs.
Bucs Want A Large Yr Two From Emeka Egbuka
Simply as necessary is the conditioning, which he’s targeted on this offseason. Emeka Egbuka emphasised how significantly better he feels stamina-wise, which may translate into an even bigger position because the offense seems to be for dependable targets who can keep efficient deep into video games.
Bucs WR Emeka Egbuka and Cardinals DE Josh Sweat – Photograph by: USA At present
Yr two is commonly when the sport slows down for receivers, and for Egbuka, that psychological consolation paired with a rejuvenated physique could possibly be a harmful mixture. He’s already caught the eye of all people with an distinctive one-handed catch early in OTAs.
As a substitute of making an attempt to easily survive the grind of an NFL season, he’s now positioned to assault it. If his phrases and his offseason work are any indication, Emeka Egbuka isn’t simply again to full power. He’s able to take the following step.
