With the NFL Draft approaching, the Bucs are do their due diligence on potential offensive weapons and Mike Evans replacements. Tampa Bay recently Ole Miss wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling, per Evan Winter of A To Z Sports. This gives the Bucs coaching staff and front office a closer look at a receiver who has steadily developed throughout his college career.

Top 30 visits allow teams to bring prospects to their facility for meetings, film study, and medical evaluations, and they often provide insight into which players organizations are seriously considering. In Stribling’s case, the Bucs appear intrigued by a wide receiver who offers size, experience, and proven production against top competition.

Tampa Bay had showed some interest previously in Stribling. They had an informal meeting with him at the NFL Combine in February. He can play the X position at receiver, a spot that Tampa Bay is looking for on their roster.

De’Zhaun Stribling Productive College Career

Stribling, who grew up in Honolulu, Hawai’i,  began his collegiate career at Washington State where he spent two seasons developing within the Pac-12. He had a solid beginning to his career, recording 44 catches and for 471 yards and five touchdowns as a redshirt freshman, then increasing his production to 51 receptions, 602 yards and another five touchdowns as a Sophomore.

He was on the move the following season, transferring to Oklahoma State in 2023. Unfortunately, things didn’t start out the way he wanted it to as a season ending hand injury cost him most of the year. He wound up playing in just four games and had 14 catches for 148 yards and one touchdown, but he did average 14.1 yards per reception.

WR De’Zhaun Stribling – Photo by: Kevin Jairaj – IMAGN Images

Stribling bounced back the next year by having his best production yet. He recorded 52 catches with a career high 882 yards and six touchdowns, playing 12 games. There were a couple of standout games for him, including a 45-10 win for Oklahoma State against Tulsa where he made seven catches for 174 yards and two touchdowns.

Seeking a bigger opportunity, Stribling next transferred to the Ole Miss Rebels football program in 2025, where he became a key contributor in the Rebels’ high-powered offense. At Ole Miss, he displayed his ability to stretch the field and win in contested situations, using his long frame and catch radius to make difficult receptions. He had a personal best 55 catches while also recording 811 yards and six touchdowns. The 15 games were the most he played in a season as Ole Miss went 11-1 on the regular season and 13-2 overall, making it to the College Football Semifinals, losing 31-27 to Miami in a close game at the Fiesta Bowl.

His time in the SEC also gave evaluators a chance to see him compete against some of the best defensive backs in college football, further strengthening his draft stock.

Traits That Stand Out To Bucs

At roughly 6-foot-2 with good length, Stribling brings the kind of profile that the Bucs and other NFL teams covet in wide receivers. He has shown the ability to track the ball downfield, adjust to throws outside his frame, and use his body to shield defenders at the catch point. His route running and ability to get open against defenders definitely gains attention.

Ole Miss WR De’Zhaun Stribling – Photo by: Petre Thomas – IMAGN Images

He is 23 years old, so Stribling is a prospect on the older side. Tampa Bay will continue evaluating wide receiver prospects as it prepares for both the immediate future and long-term roster construction. With veterans and younger players competing for roles in the offense, adding another pass-catching option through the draft could help strengthen the depth chart.

Because the Bucs have a lot of issues on the defensive side, not too much focus will be on a receiver in the first round, especially since they took Emeka Egbuka first last season. But don’t rule out a receiver being drafted in 2026. Tampa Bay has a deep group at receiver with Chris Godwin Jr. and young players such as Egbuka, Jalen McMillan and Tez Johnson. However, Godwin could be out after this season and depth will be needed, so Stribling could be looked at as they fill the team with depth at an important position.