Emeka Egbuka grabs his first catch in a Bucs uniform Saturday against the Titans.

Yes, Joe meant “hype.”

There is tons of hype surrounding Bucs first-round pick Emeka Egbuka. But that is coming from a real place. Egbuka has been a phenomenon in training camp practices.

He may not be playing above-the-rim like Mike Evans is, but for a rookie, he looks just the way Joe has described him for months: a smooth Chris Godwin clone.

If Egbuka was stinking the joint up, you wouldn’t be reading or hearing of much if any hype.

People from around the country who cannot get to Bucs training camp have read and heard the hype from various sources, many of which is coming from Bucs types, from suits in personnel, coaches or Egbuka’s new teammates, including Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans.

Per Grant Gordon of NFL.com, folks finally got to see Egbuka in a game-like atmosphere, albeit a worthless preseason game and one play kept Egbuka’s hype alive.

Egbuka increases hope, hype with first catch. Training camp hype around Emeka Egbuka has been as thick as the Florida humidity. The first-rounder wasted little time in maintaining that excitement when he went up for a 21-yard reception on the third play from scrimmage. The Ohio State product got in front of his defender and beautifully made a play on the ball from Kyle Trask. He came up empty on a sideline ball later in the drive and that was it for an 11-play night. It’s been made clear by the Buccaneers that Egbuka figures to play a large role in the offense. He offered a glimpse as to why.

And the sideline pass for which Gordon knocked Egbuka? Had he not taking a hand to the head and possibly been interfered with, Egbuka likely makes that crazy catch, too.

Joe can’t wait to see what Egbuka does against the Dixie Chicks. Now keep him off punt return team for crying out loud!

#BeatAtlanta

I don't know that I've EVER heard veteran teammates gas up a ROOKIE WR like these guys do Emeka Egbuka down in Tampa.

Stock 🆙 . My goodness. pic.twitter.com/CNKKdTCutd

— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) August 7, 2025