“My Duty And My Obligation”

April 27th, 2025

The standard.

Bucs first-round draft pick Emeka Egbuka has a simple motto to live by.

And no, this is not to be confused with “For duty and humanity.” But close!

Just look at the wide receivers that have been produced recently from the receivers factory at Ohio State. The NFL is littered with them. All are studs.

Egbuka said there was a standard that wasn’t just expected to be upheld in Columbus. It was demanded.

“It just felt kind of like my duty and my obligation to do what I did throughout my career,” Egubka said on Friday when he wsa introduced to the Tampa Bay community. “The standard is the same for all of the younger guys and they know what it is.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if you see a couple of breakout years [or] a couple guys do some amazing things. Obviously, we have a young cat [Jeremiah Smith] who is doing it at a very high level right now, but we also have some other guys who I think are going to wow some people in the upcoming years.”

So what does this have to do with the Bucs? Egbuka believes that same standard must be brought with him to Tampa.

The Bucs, he noted, already have a very high standard in the wide receivers room. And Egbuka believes if he brings that same mindset that he learned and fostered at Ohio State, he will fit right in with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan.

Egbuka wasn’t being cocky at all. He noted more than once how lucky he is to now be able to learn from Evans and Godwin. Egbuka just believes that if a player brings a high standard and work ethic to the table, nothing but great things can happen.

Joe thinks this is going to be a blast to watch.

30 Responses to ““My Duty And My Obligation””

  1. J Says:

    The pedigree of our WR room is probably the most impressive I’ve seen to date. Egbukas work ethic and high standard is the intangible that will elevate that room to another level.

  2. JBBUCS_06 Says:

    This was a great pickup. Bucs WR room should be good for next 3-5 years. Believe ME13 has another 1000yd season and then it’s up in the air what his production could be. With CG14, JMac, EE, Rock plus the TE room – our pass catchers should not be a position of desperation.

  3. Todd Bowls Says:

    Q. Joes and Ira, now that the draft is over and the UDFAs are signed, what are the three biggest depth weaknesses remaining on the roster?

    I’d say (1) Swing OT because if Charlie Heck goes down, there isn’t much depth, (2) Safety depth (perhaps this is why Sanders signed as a UDFA) and (3) ILB depth because if Anthony Walker goes down, there isn’t much depth left.

    Q2 – Joes and Ira, Do you think the teams likely to address this in the second way but free agency wants the rookies are signed and veterans are cut?

  4. Kenton Smith Says:

    Joe is as right about this “this is going to be a blast to watch” as he was to predict this stud might be our top pick.

  5. Destinjohnny Says:

    All right, So the first day i was pissed.
    Now, I am quite stoked and will prob rock this cats jersey
    Let get it on.
    Roll tide> Go Bucs>

  6. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    TBBF wanted Campbell…but very happy with the pick and the entire draft.

    Fans need to get over their pick(s) not being selected and root for our new baby-Bucs….

  7. Mhystc Says:

    Wonder why Jared Ivey, hasn’t picked a team yet. Hopefully we invite him to camp.

  8. Lt. Dan Says:

    “Columbo” loved that show! Columbus OH…not so much. Mostly dreary.

  9. Durango 95 Says:

    They just added a dazzler that will put points on the board. How the heck can any Bucs fan not like that. Straight-up, unadulterated, juice.

  10. ModHairKen Says:

    Not a single Diva in the WR room.

    What other team has a room this talented and unselfish?

  11. Cobraboy Says:

    The last diva the Bucs had flamed out in Philly…

  12. GoneGator Says:

    2 things regularly under-rated in WR’s = tracking and body control/ball adjustment. His background as a baseball outfielder is a serious advantage, tracking wise, and he prides himself on adjustments when the ball is in the air.

    I suspect the qualities above are what we’ve been missing from our recievers not named Mike and the reason Palmer has never developed into the long ball threat we hoped he’d be.

    The video of EE getting the call was one of the most heartwarming thing I’ve seen lately…

  13. Mhystc Says:

    What you guys think about adding Isaiah Bond, if he’s cleared from his legal battle, and is innocent ?

    Evans
    Godwin
    Egbuka
    J-Mac
    Bond

    We’d have Egbuka, J-Mac and Bond when Evans hangs it up.
    But if he’s not cleared, and is guilty then forget it.

  14. Mhystc Says:

    Oops, I forgot Tez Johnson also as the 6th WR/Returner.

  15. Saskbucs Says:

    Bring on week 1!

    Bucs -9.5 gonna pay out nicely.

  16. Dano407 Says:

    This kid is a Godwin clone. Very productive, all around skills, great hands, great work ethic & character. I see why the Bucs love him.

  17. firethecannons Says:

    Joe says this: Joe thinks this is going to be a blast to watch.

    Well Firethecannons thinks that too!, as EE says: Lets get it!

  18. HC Grover Says:

    Sounds like he will not be a bust. Whew.

  19. Irishmist Says:

    Prank gate has been solved. “On Sunday, the Atlanta Falcons confirmed the 21-year-old son of defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was behind the prank after coming across the phone number for Sanders’ special draft phone.”

    This should be good. 😄

  20. Aqualung Says:

    A brilliant pick.

    Fun will be had watching offense.

  21. Vanessa Anne Says:

    I admit to scratching my head and having a “wtf” moment, when Emeka’s name was announced Thursday night.

    I was aware of him and knew what he can do to help us, I was just flummoxed by the decision to go after him (or any WR) in the first round.

    Now I see why we drafted him round 1. He’d have been gone long before we got to our round 2 pick.

    He’s a perfect fit for our WR room and as long as he gets some playing time this year, I can totally see him making serious contributions right off the bat.

    September can’t get here soon enough!

  22. Teacherman Says:

    I hope we use another high draft pick next year too on a WR!

    We need to finish the tri-fecta. 3 WR in a row.

  23. Joe Says:

    They just added a dazzler that will put points on the board.

    You mean like Erin Andrews? IYKYK

  24. Joe Says:

    What you guys think about adding Isaiah Bond, if he’s cleared from his legal battle, and is innocent ?

    Wouldn’t be against it. Wow, what a beastly wide receiver room that would be.

  25. Joe Says:

    Todd Bowls:

    Q. Joes and Ira, now that the draft is over and the UDFAs are signed, what are the three biggest depth weaknesses remaining on the roster?

    “Depth?” Secondary, inside linebacker, probably edge rush. Swing tackle sure but what is the risk Heck goes down?

    Q2 – Joes and Ira, Do you think the teams likely to address this in the second way but free agency wants the rookies are signed and veterans are cut?

    Am sure they will look at who is available after June 1 and when teams whittle rosters down in September.

  26. BigPoppaBuc Says:

    Man this guy is seeming almost too perfect. The production and talent is clearly there, but the experience he had in that OSU receiving room will serve him so well in this one. Not to mention the fire it will also light (or keep lit) under Godwin and Evans. They’ll be mentors, sure; but there’s no way they’re gonna let the young guns come in and show them up.
    When I look at this draft overall, it’s clear the competition level at training camp is going to be juicy on both sides of the ball. Can’t wait!

  27. Hammerhead Says:

    Completely agree no divas in WR’s room.

    Even though AB did help us win a SB.

  28. Todd Bowls Says:

    Big NO to adding Bond unless it is to add James Bond 007 for some gadget plays.

  29. Ron Potter Says:

    Egbuka last year would’ve probably helped us win a couple of those 4 losses we had when Evans and Godwin were both down. Really happy with our administration looking ahead with this pick and we can also argue Egbuka was the BPA at #19. And obviously, I’d have no confidence this would all work if Egbuka and our current WRs weren’t good teammates. Love their team-first attitudes! Go Bucs!

  30. Hammerhead Says:

    Falcons have to step up to us. Will take Mayfield over Stroud any day. When he gets Corrales he gets scared. Mayfield can feel the pressure.
    Now can Falcons Q.B react? Doubt it.

    Bucs win South again. And beyond.

 

Leave a Reply