It’s still too early to know just how good the Bucs’ 2024 draft class will be, but running back Bucky Irving has shown through 12 games just how good he is. Irving was the offensive catalyst that helped lead Tampa Bay to victory on Sunday with a career-high 25 carries for 152 rushing yards and a touchdown. Add in his three receptions for 33 receiving yards and his 185 total yards helped him eclipse 1,000 yards from scrimmage this season.

Not bad production from the fourth-round pick.

Irving has not only started to establish himself as the team’s No. 1 running back but also as one of the more dynamic offensive weapons in the NFL.

“Bucky Irving Has A Skill You Can’t Teach”

Following the Bucs’ overtime win, head coach Todd Bowles was pleased as he broke down the team in the locker room. While the game ball deservingly went to outside linebacker Anthony “Baby Face” Nelson after his forced fumble helped seal the win, the team would not have been in that position were it not for the play of Bucky Irving.

Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: USA Today

When the team needed him the most, Irving delivered.

Starting from the beginning of the fourth quarter, he took all of the carries on an 11-play, 69-yard drive that ended with a 6-yard Irving touchdown run that gave Tampa Bay a 17-16 lead over the pesky Panthers. Then, after the defense forced a three-and-out, the rookie’s 43-yard run down to Carolina’s 11-yard line led to a Chase McLaughlin field goal to extend the lead to 20-16. He shared on Monday morning how the run game’s late-game success started.

“After the TV timeout, we pretty much said that we have to run it down the field,” Irving said. “Me and Rachaad [White] pulled each other to the side and said, ‘We gotta do it,’ and pretty much put everything to the side and wanted to take over the game.”

While the late-game heroics of Nelson, Baker Mayfield, and backfield partner Rachaad White were crucial, the 5-foot-9, 192-pound stick of dynamite was explosive all night.

Bowles also sees the pairing of Irving and White that way as Irving has stepped up his game as the season has progressed.

Bucs RB Bucky Irving and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

“He’s getting more comfortable with the offense,” Bowles said. “The more comfortable he gets, the more you can give him, the more he can do. Both [Irving and Rachaad White] are running well – we’re happy with both of them. Bucky has a skill you can’t teach – he can make people miss in the hole. He’s tough on the inside. Rachaad [White] had a big run at the end of the game, as well. Using them both together seems to be working out for us.”

Over his last three games, Irving has had his highest, second-highest, and fourth-highest yards from scrimmage outputs. After the Bucs lost wide receiver Chris Godwin for the season, one wondered who would stake a claim for a bigger role within the offense. With no one outside of wide receiver Mike Evans setting themselves apart, the rookie running back has made the most of his opportunities.

“Bucky’s a stud,” Mayfield said after the game. “Obviously, getting the ball in his hands is good for our offense – it goes for all of our backs. The way Bucky played tonight gave us that spark we really needed when we weren’t doing too hot.”

Despite Bucky Irving’s Success, He Doesn’t Want To Take The Credit

Bucky Irving’s play has started to set himself apart.

Irving ranks first among his rookie contemporaries in the most important categories.

Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: USA Today

He also is starting to enter the mix when looking at the NFL’s best running backs. He is tied for fifth in the league with Jayden Daniels averaging 5.5 yards per carry.

Who’s in front of him?

Saquon Barkley, Lamar Jackson, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Derrick Henry.

Talk about being in elite company.

Irving is also ninth in all-purpose yards with 1,193 yards. While he is not yet Top 10 in rushing yards (he ranks 17th), he will hit 1,000 rushing yards if he stays healthy and could pass up a lot of other backs with another big game or two.

All of this is to say, he deserves to be in conversations when discussing talented players, but he is not one to bask in praise. Instead, he was very complimentary of his offensive line and knows he owes them some nice Christmas presents.

“I don’t really like taking all the credit,” Irving said. “It’s those guys up front. I think I have to do something really nice for those guys for Christmas because they’re getting the job done. I really don’t want to take all the credit. Like I said, we have to get more of those guys in here and give them the credit for getting the job done up front.”

If you do want to give Bucky Irving some credit, vote for him to be the FedEx Ground Player of the Week: