The Bucs drafted an undersized Oregon Ducks star last year in running back Bucky Irving with the team’s fourth-round pick. Irving went on to lead Tampa Bay in rushing with 1,122 yards and eight touchdowns while becoming the first Buccaneers back to hit 1,000 yards since Doug Martin did it 2015. Could lightning strike twice with another Oregon standout landing in Tampa Bay?

Tampa Bay is hosting Ducks cornerback Nikko Reed on a Top 30 visit, according to NFL insider Aaron Wilson.

Reed is viewed as a late Day 3 prospect, mostly due to his size. He’s listed at 5-foot-9, 180 pounds with reported sub-4.5 speed.

The Bucs spread Top 30 visit invites out to not just the top draft prospects that the team might select in the first round or on Day 2, but also some late-round draft prospects or potential undrafted free agents to build a rapport with them so they can be recruited to Tampa Bay easier should they go undrafted.

Nikko Reed Could Help Bucs Secondary, Kick Return Unit

Oregon CB Nikko Reed – Photo by: USA Today

Cornerback Nikko Reed spent his first two seasons at Colorado where he recorded 51 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, eight pass breakups and three interceptions. He also returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown against Utah in 2021 on his first collegiate kick return attempt. He then transferred to Oregon in 2023 where he played with Tampa Bay running back Bucky Irving.

In his two seasons with the Ducks, Reed recorded 64 tackles, including four tackles for loss, one sack, 14 passes broken up and two interceptions. Both of those interceptions came during his senior season in 2024, and both of them helped seal Oregon wins in the final moments.

In the 2024 season opener, Reed had a late-game interception against Idaho in a 24-14 win, but saved his best interception for last. Reed picked off Penn State in the Big 10 Championship to seal a 45-37 victory and send Oregon to keep the Ducks as the number 1 overall seed and give them a first round bye in the College Football Playoff.

Oregon ILB Jeffrey Bassa – Photo by: USA Today

The Bucs could use another young cornerback to compete with reserves Kindle Vildor, Bryce Hall, Josh Hayes and Tyrek Funderburk. As of right now, Zyon McCollum and Jamel Dean are slated to start in Tampa Bay in 2025, although the team could add another starting-caliber cornerback in the draft. While Reed has seen most of his playing time as an outside cornerback in college, his lack of ideal size could make a candidate to move inside to play in the slot at the next level.

The Bucs are considering moving Tykee Smith from nickelback to strong safety to replace Jordan Whitehead in 2025. That would create an opening for a starting spot in the slot this season.

Reed is not the only Ducks player the Bucs are interested in this year. Tampa Bay also had formal interviews with Ducks inside linebacker Jeffrey Bassa and wide receiver Tez Johnson at the NFL Scouting Combine.