Solely two draft picks in Bucs historical past have come out of the College of Oregon, however the newest shortly turned a star and fan favourite. In fact, that was 2024 fourth-round decide Bucky Irving, who turned Tampa Bay’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2015 and sparked a resurgence for the workforce’s run sport as a rookie.
Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Irving, who spent his freshman season at Minnesota and ran for 699 yards and 4 touchdowns for the Golden Gophers, starred at Oregon in 2022 and 2023. His first yr with the Geese noticed him run for 1,058 yards and 5 touchdowns on 156 carries (6.8 avg.), then he completed up his three-year collegiate profession with one other 1,000-yard season in 2023. That yr, he ran 186 occasions for 1,180 yards (6.3 avg.) and 11 touchdowns.
From there, Irving turned the Bucs’ fourth-round decide. And shortly sufficient, he was Tampa Bay’s beginning operating again. He carried the ball 207 occasions for 1,122 yards (5.4 avg.) and eight touchdowns, changing into one of many stars of a top-five offense within the NFL.
It additionally didn’t take lengthy for Irving to turn out to be a fan favourite, as Raymond James Stadium would erupt in “Bucky! Bucky! Bucky!” chants any time he acquired the ball. And if something is evident from speaking to his former Oregon teammates on the 2025 NFL Scouting Mix, it’s clear that Bucky Irving isn’t only a favourite amongst followers – he’s additionally a well-liked man within the locker room.
Oregon Prospects Beloved Enjoying With Bucky Irving And Need To Do So Once more
Bucs RB Bucky Irving and Oregon WR Tez Johnson Photograph by: USA At this time
On condition that he’s the adopted brother of former Oregon and present Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, former Geese extensive receiver Tez Johnson actually isn’t unfamiliar with having shut ties to former teammates within the NFL. Whereas he understandably would love the prospect to hitch Nix in Denver, Johnson would additionally welcome the prospect to workforce again up with Bucky Irving in Tampa Bay.
“My boy Bucky’s there,” Johnson mentioned about Tampa Bay on the 2025 NFL Mix. “That’s my best friend. He’s at the Bucs right now. Love Tampa Bay, most definitely. No matter what, when this draft is over with, I’m teaming up with somebody I know for sure.”
Johnson, who had a proper assembly with the Bucs in Indianapolis, elaborated additional on his favourite Bucky Irving moments. Buccaneers followers might be acquainted with the moments he picked, as they had been each runs that got here throughout his 2024 rookie marketing campaign.
“I think the Carolina Panthers run and the Saints run from this past season,” Johnson mentioned. “The Carolina run for positive as a result of I known as him proper after the sport and advised him he must unhook the trailer. And the one in opposition to the [Saints] when he stiff-armed the man to the bottom, it was form of like what he did when he was at Oregon. I’ve simply seen it. He nonetheless does those self same runs. He cuts throughout the sector, can’t no person contact him.
“He’s just having fun out there. So, those two moments for me, that’s what I remember. Just the crowd, for him, chanting ‘Bucky’ every time he touches the ball is pretty elite for him. I’m very excited. I love him to death.”
Former Oregon WR Tez Johnson Photograph by: USA At this time
Johnson is 5-foot-9, 154 kilos, so like Irving (5-foot-10, 194), he’s heard that he doesn’t have the best measurement to play on the NFL stage. However Johnson will get open. He performs quicker than his 4.51 time would point out and was dominant on the Senior Bowl again in January.
As new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard appears to take the Bucs offense somewhat extra vertical, Johnson very effectively might be an intriguing match. He could be simply the third Oregon Duck drafted by Tampa Bay, and he’d be reunited with Irving.
It’s protected to say the remainder of the Oregon prospects on the NFL Scouting Mix wouldn’t thoughts changing into Buccaneers and teaming up with the electrical younger operating again once more.
“That’s my boy, DJ Buck, man,” extensive receiver Traeshon Holden mentioned. “That would be perfect, just working with a guy like him. You see what he did this year and, shoot, I’d love to play with Bucky [for] the Bucs.”
Operating again Jordan James, who ran for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns as Irving’s successor final season, additionally spoke glowingly about his former backfield mate. The 2 nonetheless have a detailed relationship.
“I talk to Bucky all the time, man,” James mentioned. “I’ve been telling teams this, he’s a guy that did things the right way. I looked up to him when he was at Oregon. I still do. Just taught me how to be a pro. … He’s a guy that can do everything, man. He catches the ball well, he can run in between the tackles, he can definitely make you miss as well.”
It’s not simply the “skill” guys who liked taking part in with Irving in Eugene. Offensive sort out Ajani Cornelius mentioned on the Mix that blocking for him was simple given his tackle-breaking skill.
“Playing with Bucky was amazing,” Cornelius mentioned. “As an offensive linemen, you really don’t have to do much. Bucky, he’s not gonna go down on first touch, you know that. Very skilled player, excellent. I had a great time [playing with him].”
