Only two draft picks in Bucs history have come out of the University of Oregon, but the latest quickly became a star and fan favorite. Of course, that was 2024 fourth-round pick Bucky Irving, who became Tampa Bay’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2015 and sparked a resurgence for the team’s run game as a rookie.

Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Irving, who spent his freshman season at Minnesota and ran for 699 yards and four touchdowns for the Golden Gophers, starred at Oregon in 2022 and 2023. His first year with the Ducks saw him run for 1,058 yards and five touchdowns on 156 carries (6.8 avg.), then he finished up his three-year collegiate career with another 1,000-yard season in 2023. That year, he ran 186 times for 1,180 yards (6.3 avg.) and 11 touchdowns.

From there, Irving became the Bucs’ fourth-round pick. And soon enough, he was Tampa Bay’s starting running back. He carried the ball 207 times for 1,122 yards (5.4 avg.) and eight touchdowns, becoming one of the stars of a top-five offense in the NFL.

It also didn’t take long for Irving to become a fan favorite, as Raymond James Stadium would erupt in “Bucky! Bucky! Bucky!” chants any time he got the ball. And if anything is clear from talking to his former Oregon teammates at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, it’s clear that Bucky Irving isn’t just a favorite among fans – he’s also a popular guy in the locker room.

Oregon Prospects Loved Playing With Bucky Irving And Want To Do So Again

Bucs RB Bucky Irving and Oregon WR Tez Johnson Photo by: USA Today

Given that he’s the adopted brother of former Oregon and current Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, former Ducks wide receiver Tez Johnson certainly isn’t unfamiliar with having close ties to former teammates in the NFL. While he understandably would love the chance to join Nix in Denver, Johnson would also welcome the chance to team back up with Bucky Irving in Tampa Bay.

“My boy Bucky’s there,” Johnson said about Tampa Bay at the 2025 NFL Combine. “That’s my best friend. He’s at the Bucs right now. Love Tampa Bay, most definitely. No matter what, when this draft is over with, I’m teaming up with somebody I know for sure.”

Johnson, who had a formal meeting with the Bucs in Indianapolis, elaborated further on his favorite Bucky Irving moments. Buccaneers fans will be familiar with the moments he picked, as they were both runs that came during his 2024 rookie campaign.

“I think the Carolina Panthers run and the Saints run from this past season,” Johnson said. “The Carolina run for sure because I called him right after the game and told him he needs to unhook the trailer. And the one against the [Saints] when he stiff-armed the guy to the ground, it was kind of like what he did when he was at Oregon. I’ve just seen it. He still does those same runs. He cuts across the field, can’t nobody touch him.

“He’s just having fun out there. So, those two moments for me, that’s what I remember. Just the crowd, for him, chanting ‘Bucky’ every time he touches the ball is pretty elite for him. I’m very excited. I love him to death.”

Former Oregon WR Tez Johnson Photo by: USA Today

Johnson is 5-foot-9, 154 pounds, so like Irving (5-foot-10, 194), he’s heard that he doesn’t have the ideal size to play at the NFL level. But Johnson gets open. He plays faster than his 4.51 time would indicate and was dominant at the Senior Bowl back in January.

As new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard looks to take the Bucs offense a little more vertical, Johnson very well could be an intriguing fit. He would be just the third Oregon Duck drafted by Tampa Bay, and he’d be reunited with Irving.

It’s safe to say the rest of the Oregon prospects at the NFL Scouting Combine wouldn’t mind becoming Buccaneers and teaming up with the electric young running back again.

“That’s my boy, DJ Buck, man,” wide receiver Traeshon Holden said. “That would be perfect, just working with a guy like him. You see what he did this year and, shoot, I’d love to play with Bucky [for] the Bucs.”

Running back Jordan James, who ran for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns as Irving’s successor last season, also spoke glowingly about his former backfield mate. The two still have a close relationship.

“I talk to Bucky all the time, man,” James said. “I’ve been telling teams this, he’s a guy that did things the right way. I looked up to him when he was at Oregon. I still do. Just taught me how to be a pro. … He’s a guy that can do everything, man. He catches the ball well, he can run in between the tackles, he can definitely make you miss as well.”

It’s not just the “skill” guys who loved playing with Irving in Eugene. Offensive tackle Ajani Cornelius said at the Combine that blocking for him was easy given his tackle-breaking ability.

“Playing with Bucky was amazing,” Cornelius said. “As an offensive linemen, you really don’t have to do much. Bucky, he’s not gonna go down on first touch, you know that. Very skilled player, excellent. I had a great time [playing with him].”