Don’t look now, but Bucs wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is already the focal point of the offense heading into Week 5 against the Seahawks. With injuries keeping running back Bucky Irving and wide receiver Mike Evans out, and with wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. playing in just his second game this season, expect another game where Egbuka is featured heavily.

He has already developed quite a rapport with quarterback Baker Mayfield, and the numbers don’t lie about just how much he has been a key factor. Through four games, Egbuka has recorded 18 receptions for 282 receiving yards and four touchdowns, with his number of targets increasing each week. Heading back home to his native state of Washington, it would not be a surprise to see him overcome the challenge of facing a stingy Seattle defense — and getting the better of his former Ohio State teammate, wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Emeka Egbuka: Facing Jaxon Smith-Njigba Is Special, Seahawks Play With Fire

Emeka Egbuka will have his hands full as he faces another defense that boasts a lot of playmakers. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald has coaxed elite play from just about every member of the secondary, as the group has seven interceptions through four games and mixes and matches defensive playcalls and personnel with the best of them. Being the studious player that he is, Egbuka knows that to come out on top, he and the rest of the Bucs’ offense have to come out and match Seattle’s energy in a tough road environment.

Bucs WR Emeka Egbuka Photo by: USA Today

“Similar to what we saw when we were game planning for the Houston Texans, all 11 people on their defense play extremely hard,” Egbuka said when asked about what he notices watching the Seahawks’ defense. “They play with a lot of energy, a lot of fire, they are all flying around to the ball, so playing a group with a lot of energy like that always makes it interesting for us and we [have] to be able to have them match our energy.

“We want to come out just as energetic as they are. Obviously, they cover very well, they have a ton of great athletes there in their secondary. [They have a] first-round guy in [Devon] Witherspoon, a tall, lanky, fast corner in [Riq] Woolen, Coby Bryant has been playing really [well] and [I] love their other safety [Julian Love]. There is not really a weak link on their defense.”

Egbuka is expected to see a lot of Witherspoon and will likely draw Woolen at times as well. While he will not be lining up against Jaxon Smith-Njigba, he is excited to see him on the other side.

Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba – Photo by: USA Today

The two former Buckeyes are two of the best young wideouts in the NFL and are projected to be among the top names for a while. Smith-Njigba will give the Bucs’ defense a lot of problems on Sunday, especially as cornerbacks Jamel Dean and Benjamin Morrison are out. “JSN” has 26 receptions for 402 receiving yards and a touchdown through four games, sitting firmly among the league leaders in catches (sixth) and yards (second).

Egbuka and Smith-Njigba’s respective success is not a surprise, given the fact Ohio State has become “WRU” for the way they develop future star wideouts. Although they are lifelong friends and root each other on, they are hoping the other has a quiet game — just this once.

“It’s awesome,” Egbuka told Pewter Report about seeing Smith-Njigba. “We were texting [on Wednesday], kind of reminiscing on days at Ohio State. How we prayed for this, and now we’re at this moment together. It’s just special being able to go against one of my really good friends, lifelong friends. He’s been doing his thing this year; he’s a top two receiver statistically.

“He’s amazing, but this isn’t any news to me. Obviously, I’ve seen him work day in and day out. I have no doubt he’s going to continue to do what he does throughout the rest of the season. I just hope he doesn’t do it to us this week.”

Bucs React To Emeka Egbuka’s Hot Start, Winning NFL Offensive Rookie of The Month

As mentioned above, Emeka Egbuka could not have gotten off to a faster start to begin his first month playing in NFL games. Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard was asked on Thursday about seeing Egbuka earn recognition for his stellar play.

Bucs WR Emeka Egbuka – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“That was pretty cool,” Grizzard said upon hearing the news. “[Head] Coach [Todd Bowles] told him out there, so everybody was able to hear that together. We saw it even from day one of rookie minicamp in what he can do, and just being able to see the things from the Ohio State tape show up early and often in the spring and then now that it’s happening in the games.

“It happens every game and it [was] fantastic to see another huge play that really brought some juice to the sideline when we were down, and people rally behind that. Just the conversations he was just having out there with Mike [Evans] on how to run routes – these guys just soak in all the knowledge from Chris [Godwin Jr.] and Mike and he’s in a great spot right now.”

Running back Rachaad White, who will be tasked with lead back duties with Bucky Irving out with an injury, also reacted to the news.

“Everybody was excited,” White said. “‘Mek’ (Emeka Egbuka) is special. He is special, everybody sees it, everybody knows, but just the things he does and what he brings. He is a rookie, but it seems like he is not a rookie. We are happy for him, obviously we have to keep it going and we all [have] each other’s backs.”

What can Emeka Egbuka do for an encore?

Stay tuned.