Fire Finds The Bucs’ Return Game
April 27th, 2025
Returner/receiver Tez Johnson, the Bucs’ seventh-round pick.
Joe celebrated for hours after the Bucs’ pick of Tez Johnson in Round 7 yesterday.
Joe couldn’t believe Johnson was on the board. It was a week ago today that Joe advised Bucs fans to keep any eye on Johnson in the draft.
He is exactly the juice in the punt return game the Bucs need. And yes, Joe expects the Tampa Bay defense to force more punts this year.
In fact, new assistant Bucs general manager Rob McCartney said yesterday that Johnson will compete as a returner immediately with second-year man Kameron Johnson. Notice how McCartney didn’t mention Trey Palmer, last year’s Bucs returner.
Johnson is 5-10, 154 pounds. That’s right 1 5 4. He was a strong punt returner the past two seasons at Oregon. And he also found 20 touchdowns, 2,000+ yards and 169 catches in the offense.
In the Big 10 Championship game last season, Johnson racked up 11 catches for 181 yards and a touchdown against Penn State. Stud!
He was a seventh-rounder for only two reasons: size and speed. His 40-time wasn’t good for a small dude, and it didn’t look smooth on video. But as McCartney said, Johnson’s actual game speed and elusiveness are a very different story.
Just imagine this Bucs offense with better field position because the team finally has a dangerous returner, and with a first-round pick of a receiver (Emeka Egbuka) just for fun.
Flash poll posted at 8:40 a.m.
April 27th, 2025 at 9:01 am
Pretty sure if he had gone UDFA, that the Broncos would have won out because of his family ties with Bo Nix. Good get.
April 27th, 2025 at 9:05 am
Kick/punt returners are overrated now. Drafting a player solely for the purposes of that is meh. The days of D Hester are long gone. Give me value on offense and defense whether it be a 7th rounder or not. This guy won’t make the team or he’ll maybe become a practice squad star.
April 27th, 2025 at 9:08 am
Put on a few more pounds and hit the weights. NFL is fast and hits hard.
April 27th, 2025 at 9:08 am
trudat geno
April 27th, 2025 at 9:11 am
Most YAC in college football the past 2 years.
I love this kid.
I believe he’ll be a Buc for Life like he says.
In fact, I believe every word this kid said in his zoom call.
Future Fan Favorite for sure!
April 27th, 2025 at 9:15 am
He’s essentially a smaller version of Egbuka — runs crisp routes, gets open, and does all the little things right. The only real difference is his size, which limits his ability in contested catch situations. He’ll likely be more effective on spacing routes rather than jump balls. My biggest concern is his blocking ability at the NFL level given his frame, and whether he can hold up physically. One big hit from a much larger defender could be a real concern for his durability.
That said GREAT 7TH ROUND PICK!!
April 27th, 2025 at 9:46 am
Dexter Jackson, Jaelyn Darden, Grant Stuard, etc etc. Love it when the Bucs draft for special teams!
April 27th, 2025 at 9:51 am
Josh Says:
April 27th, 2025 at 9:15 am
Uh, yeah, no. Their play styles and strengths are not very similar at all. Tez is all aboiut the ankle breaking quickness, and he can change directions on a dime.
April 27th, 2025 at 9:52 am
It only took a couple of highlights clips to see that he plays faster than his 40 time. Dude was pulling away from defenders. If he can add 20 lbs and not lose any speed, he could have a long career.
April 27th, 2025 at 9:55 am
The kid put up good numbers with the Ducks. Sure he is skinny as a rail but why not take a 7th round flyer on him, may turn out to be a diamond in the rough. Lets see what happens when he hits the OTAs and training camp.
April 27th, 2025 at 10:21 am
As long as they stop sending someone out there that fields punts at the 3yd line, I’m good. This kid looks like he’ll do fine. 🤞🏾
April 27th, 2025 at 10:30 am
Dexter Jackson II was all the rage. Jalen Darden was called the “best athlete on the field” in underwear football. Palmer is a chicken. They’ve all been side to side chickens, afraid to take a hot and surely won’t deliver one.
Until this dude shows me different, that’s my expectation. Another chicken.
April 27th, 2025 at 10:43 am
To me I find this a very polarizing pic.
I didn’t think it filled in need for a real hole. I also think that while his production was amazing his body metrics do not seem to fit against NFL sized competition. I truthfully did not know much about him. I watched some tape and was impressed but still think that he’s a player that will get often injured. He is given up 50 to 150 lb on the guys he is going up against. And he doesn’t have the true speed to avoid it. He is very twitchy which I like. But he doesn’t have long speed to be a burner like Scotty Miller was. If you play him over the middle taking slants or other things in traffic he will get killed!
Like others have said if his frame is 5’10 I imagine he might be able to put on 10 to 15 lb of muscle and if he can get to at least 170 without losing any of his dynamic abilities then yes I would agree we got to steal.
April 27th, 2025 at 10:45 am
Oh one thing I forgot where he could be very useful is with the new kickoff rules. It would be foolish for teens to kick the ball into the end zone with the new rules given that the receiving team would then start at their 35 yard line!
So I think this year more than in any other year in recent memory having a good kick returner could be very important as I see a lot of teams kicking the ball short. I know he was a punch returner but I imagine that the skill set is similar.
April 27th, 2025 at 10:48 am
Apparently my post before last did not make it through .
I essentially said that on the positive he was a twitchy player and I liked the tape that I saw but that I had concerns about his smaller size and lack of long speed that might not translate at the NFL l level against bigger faster competition and that he would be a significant injury risk every time he touched the football. However if you were to put some more muscle on that frame and bulk up to say 170 lb or more that he could actually be a real gem that we picked up.
April 27th, 2025 at 10:59 am
It’s amazing. SUCH high-expectations for a 7th-Round ‘Return-Man’ it is insane. Seems-like, another “great kid,” but come-on.
April 27th, 2025 at 11:14 am
Tez reminds me of Bucky when I watch his highlights.
There’s no speed burst in the open field; it more his ability to quickly pivot and break away from defenders. Make them miss.
Like everyone else, I’m a little concerned about his weight and what could happen when a defender weighing 100 lbs more slams into him.
He’s going to have to play smart and think fast.
April 27th, 2025 at 11:44 am
7th rounder and our return game can’t get much worse. Great pick
April 27th, 2025 at 11:55 am
What he lacks in size he makes up in attitude. He does not lack confidence. Listen to his interview, the kids a player.
April 27th, 2025 at 12:43 pm
He is in the top 10 in multiple categories for all time Oregon receivers and he was only there for 2 years.
April 27th, 2025 at 1:03 pm
Great draft! In contrast to your article Joe, with the drafting of Egbuke, will we need to punt to the opposing team all that often?! 😂
April 27th, 2025 at 1:07 pm
Wake up people, he’s light in the ass and ran a 4.51, you better hope he’s not returning kicks.
April 27th, 2025 at 1:11 pm
Sounds great but reminds me of the other guy we had a few years ago Jaelon Darden. I always pin my hopes on these guys but the story is better than the reality.
April 27th, 2025 at 1:17 pm
This Pick is Fire
April 27th, 2025 at 1:41 pm
If you tally the numbers for the above draft poll, and include only the number of C- grades, you will find we still have 16 morons participating in the poll.
April 27th, 2025 at 1:42 pm
Palmer returning punts was an accident waiting to happen. I’m an old punt returner and I held my breath whenever we called “punt return”. No kickoff team is gonna feel good this year booming it into the end zone. Let the opponent start at the 35 isn’t optimal strategy. So I believe the return game is going to be more important than ever. The guy looks faster than 4.51 and I’m cool if he gets caught from behind on a few returns anyway. We aren’t drafting guys based on their potential but on what they’ve done. This little guy hung numbers! Let’s give him a chance guys and he may just be a smart, tough, quick little dude who will shock us!
April 27th, 2025 at 1:44 pm
Does anyone else remember the days when if we fielded a punt inside our 15 yard line we would have been benched for the game?
April 27th, 2025 at 1:54 pm
Darden being drafted in the 4th was insane looking back on it
April 27th, 2025 at 2:01 pm
I remember the great Danny Reece—-handled EVERY punt for an entire season, never a single fair catch
April 27th, 2025 at 2:25 pm
Beeej Says:
April 27th, 2025 at 2:01 pm
He was great at catching the punts, but running anywhere with it was a different story. Routinely the lowest return average in the league.
April 27th, 2025 at 2:27 pm
“Vanessa Anne Says:
April 27th, 2025 at 11:14 am
Tez reminds me of Bucky when I watch his highlights.”
Yesterday I heard someone describe him as the Bucky Irving of the receivers room…..reminds me of Gerald “Ice Cube” McNeil who was 5’7″ 150 lbs. He played 5 seasons but he was faster….4.19 in the 40
April 27th, 2025 at 4:15 pm
Think I saw where this kid led all FBS players in YAC since 2023…
April 27th, 2025 at 5:32 pm
Devonte Smith is 6′ and 160 lbs and he’s doing alright.
This kid could be a true weapon for Grizz in addition to kick returns.
His lack of top end speed just means he probably won’t break off a 90 harder but I can see him getting us 10-20-30 yard chunks regularly.
Who’s going to cover him when he’s on the field with Mike, Chris, J-Mac or EE? Plus 2 RBs that can catch the ball?
April 27th, 2025 at 5:47 pm
154lbs and leads the FBS in YAC! How? That’s nuts!
April 27th, 2025 at 7:56 pm
I’m 5-10. 150. I’m strong and fast. And very skinny.
I am worried about this guys safety
I don’t want him returning kicks or punts. He could honestly get hurt.
This pick was for Bucky I think. A sign of respect.
April 27th, 2025 at 8:04 pm
*Vernon Turner
April 27th, 2025 at 8:17 pm
I am not so sure the tiny water bugs are the best returners these days. Every player is fast now and there’s a lot less open field. You’ve got to get north and south and break an arm tackle or two unless the coverage is completely botched. I would rather try a Josh Cribbs type. One hand on this guy and he’ll likely go down.
April 27th, 2025 at 8:33 pm
Gotta-Dog-05-20-84, I remember McNeil but thought you were mistaken about his 40 time. Nope. You were right. Good Call!
April 27th, 2025 at 8:45 pm
Kenton Smith…….He was faaaaaast……with 6 a’s. Cleveland had a knack for finding those smaller guys that could play…..Pruitt, Metcalf, Brennen. Always fun to watch…..
April 27th, 2025 at 9:28 pm
I asked a question out of sincere respect to Kenton Smith and got batted down.
Let’s try again – Kenton, I’ll bet you have some stories that would be worth sharing over a beverage. Good in ya for getting in that punt returner’s barrel.
April 27th, 2025 at 10:46 pm
Aqualung, I love sharing life’s recollections especially with good folks and any good variety of intoxicating beverages. That’s what I’m doing right now!
April 27th, 2025 at 11:02 pm
154 pounds , holy moly, this kids gonna get his head knocked off by a gunner coming in at full speed ! Take it from me, Kenton Smith was one heck of a punt returner on his pop warner team , it was the special kids division.
April 27th, 2025 at 11:51 pm
Not, proud of fielding probably 50 punts in 20 games my high school junior and senior year. Started those 20 games at cornerback too. Lots of us fans out here probably didn’t play college ball. Played with alot who did and I got to play against a handful who played in the NFL. You probably thought you were funny saying I was a heck of a punt returner on my pop Warner team. But then you exposed yourself by adding it was the special kids division. And it turns out you aren’t funny at all. Sad, maybe. But funny. Not so much.
April 28th, 2025 at 12:35 am
I saw him play a few times in Oregon and he is absolutely electric. I don’t get that 40 time because nobody was catching him. Very quick and fast.
That said… The Buccaneers are always chasing a 6th or 7th receiver who is very fast and can be a return man. So far they have struck out year after year after year because they get someone who is too small. This guy can’t get to 175!
I just don’t really see it. There are fast electric guys who are 190-200 pounds.
I really hope I’m wrong, this kid has a great story and I’m rooting for him
April 29th, 2025 at 1:54 am
Tyler Echeverry is who should return kicks.