Bucs' Emeka Egbuka feeling 'comfortable' heading into 2026

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka may already be thinking beyond the traditional responsibilities of a receiver. Appearing on Up & Adams Egbuka, he discussed his excitement about stepping into Zac Robinson’s offense and hinted at one specific area he hopes becomes a bigger part of his NFL role: rushing opportunities.

“Definitely feel comfortable with the ball in my hands,” Egbuka said during the interview when asked if he would like more opportunities to RUSH the football and be a part of the run game.

While the former Buckeye was primarily known for his polished route running and reliability as a receiver, Ohio State occasionally utilized him on designed runs and gadget concepts to take advantage of his vision and explosiveness in space. During his collegiate career, Egbuka totaled 25 rushing attempts for 145 yards and two touchdowns, averaging nearly 5.8 yards per carry on limited opportunities.

Under new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, there’s reason to think those opportunities could expand. Robinson comes from the Sean McVay offensive tree, where motion-heavy concepts, manufactured touches, and positional versatility are heavily emphasized. NFL offenses have increasingly searched for ways to create easy touches for dynamic playmakers, and Egbuka’s ability after the catch makes him an ideal candidate for jet sweeps, orbit motions, and backfield packages.

At 6-foot-1 and roughly 205 pounds, Egbuka also has the build to handle occasional rushing attempts. He’s not simply a finesse slot receiver relying purely on speed. He runs with balance, physicality, and strong contact control, traits that showed up consistently after the catch at Ohio State. The Buccaneers could especially benefit from adding another motion based element to the offense. While players like Chris Godwin Jr and Jalen McMillan thrive as traditional receivers, Egbuka could bring a whole new dimension.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Emeka Egbuka is ready to implement a different approach to his game