Emeka Egbuka, a former Ohio State standout, receives high praise from his new colleague, who was formerly a rival.

Emeka Egbuka was one of the most productive wide receivers in Ohio State history. With 205 career receptions at Ohio State, he left Columbus as the school’s all‑time leader. He also posted over 1,000 receiving yards twice and played a key role in their national championship run at the end of the 2024 season. Ohio State fans already knew he was an exceptional player. Now in the NFL, his new teammates are getting to know that too  and one voice stands out, not just because it’s high level praise, but because it comes from someone he used to compete against.

Egbuka landed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being drafted in the first round. He joined a veteran wide receiver room featuring Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and his new quarterback Baker Mayfield. Pretty soon after camp opened, he was making an early impression, not only through practice tape but through the locker-room feedback. Notably, Tez Johnson, who played wide receiver for Oregon  a team that beat Ohio State in the 2023 Rose Bowl and had him go head-to-head with Egbuka  spoke glowingly about Emeka’s game and character. Now teammates in Tampa Bay, the former Oregon star offered sincere praise  and even admitted that Ohio State fans had good reason to appreciate what Egbuka brings to the field. Johnson said on media platforms: “He’s an Ohio State guy  and he beat me in the Rose Bowl. But he’s a good guy. He’s very twitchy for his size, and he runs really good routes and has really strong hands. The guy’s smart  he’s a human computer.”

That kind of praise resonates because of what it represents: respect from a former rival who played against him, knew his strengths, and is now calling him smart, crafty, and reliable. Johnson’s comments speak to what many analysts have seen in Egbuka’s game  elite football IQ, crisp route running, and toughness despite not always matching up physically with bigger cornerbacks.

On top of that, his quarterback, Baker Mayfield, also chimed in. Just days into camp, Mayfield declared that Egbuka had quickly earned his trust. Mayfield noted that even with a veteran like Mike Evans sitting out practice, Egbuka stepped up without hesitation. Mayfield praised Egbuka’s mental strength and leadership, adding that he doesn’t “act like a rookie” and helps “raise the standard for everybody else.”

And just a month earlier, Mike Evans had weighed in himself. He compared Egbuka to a running back in terms of physicality, and to Chris Godwin in terms of polish  calling him smart, very well‑rounded, and dependable. Evans praised Egbuka’s strong hands and all-around game, suggesting he could be a difference-maker immediately in Tampa Bay’s offense.

All this combined praise from three different respected voices one a former Pac‑12 opponent, two NFL veterans in the same room  paints a clear picture: Emeka Egbuka’s arrival in the league is off to an exceptional start.

When you dig into the details, his path makes sense. At Ohio State, he played under coach Brian Hartline, whose receiver room has become a pipeline for NFL-ready talent. Egbuka’s maturity, preparation, and consistency were on display as he became a national champion, team leader, and he climbed into the record books. All while operating in a high-pressure environment with huge expectations. That type of background created the foundation for what he’s showing now in the pros  both on the field and in film study.

In Tampa Bay’s offense, playing alongside Evans and Godwin and working with a veteran QB in Mayfield, Egbuka has both support and space to succeed. NFL practices are faster, playbooks are more complex, but his teammates say he’s adjusting with ease. That’s precisely why Johnson called him a “human computer”  someone who processes, adapts, and executes at a high level even when the situation changes.

Ohio State fans watching this may feel proud  and rightly so. The praise confirms what many believed: Egbuka’s ceiling was high, and his work ethic pushed him there. He’s carried the same traits forward to the next level and quickly earned trust from those who matter most in an NFL locker room.

What stands out in this story is the contrast between rivals-turned-teammates. On the field, Egbuka faced Oregon defenders like Johnson in big games. On the sidelines, after he joined the Bucs, those same opponents became teammates rooting for him. That transition  from strong college rivalries to shared pro goals  is one of the most interesting arcs in the sport.

Johnson’s comments felt particularly honest. He’s not from Ohio, he’s not part of the Buckeye culture, yet he recognized Egbuka’s impact from playing against him  and then praised him as a teammate. That kind of transition  from rivalry to mutual respect  underscores both personal and professional growth.

When combined with Mayfield’s and Evans’s praise, it shows that Egbuka’s work habits translate to results. For Mayfield to say he doesn’t act like a rookie just days into camp means Egbuka is already earning reps and trust at a high level. For Evans to compare him to the best and highlight his versatility and polish suggests Egbuka could factor heavily in the passing game from day one.

As the season approaches, Egbuka has a chance to make a real impact in Tampa Bay’s offense. If he continues performing  running clean routes, catching contested passes, blocking in the run game—those early compliments may grow into more consistent recognition across broadcasts, fantasy leagues, and long-term career trajectory.

Looking back, Egbuka’s college career built the runway. His Ohio State tenure was about more than stats  it was about being a leader, a smart operator, and someone who thrived in big games like the Rose Bowl and College Football Playoff games. Now, in the NFL, teammates are noticing the same traits: intelligence, reliability, and polish.

Bigger picture: Emeka represents the modern NFL wide receiver archetype. He’s not just explosiveness or size. He’s precision, savvy, and route discipline. He thrives in timing-based systems, where knowing where the defender is and what the QB sees makes all the difference. That alignment between style and scheme first at Ohio State, now in Tampa Bay  makes his transition smoother and more valuable.

For Ohio State fans, it’s a reminder of the program’s recent offensive renaissance under Hartline and how receivers are prepared for the next level. But it also shows how special Egbuka is  even among that talented group, he stood out. Now, teammate praise in the NFL validates the hype and shows that preparation, intelligence, and professionalism matter just as much as raw athleticism.

As fans continue watching the Buccaneers this season, all eyes will be on the wide receiver corps. If Baker Mayfield spreads the ball effectively, and if Evans, Godwin, and Egbuka all contribute, Tampa Bay’s pass game could become one of the NFL’s most productive. Egbuka could emerge quickly as a trusted target, especially in the slot or in short to intermediate passing situations. Critics will judge him by production  but teammates have already laid the foundation for belief.

In the end, hearing a former rival call you smart, twitchy, and a “human computer,” while your projected QB and inventory anchor call you dependable and standard-setting, confirms that Emeka Egbuka is earning respect at every level. That kind of praise doesn’t come easily—or without earning it. He won it in college; now he continues to prove it in the pros.

So while Ohio State fans remember him fondly, Tampa Bay fans and NFL analysts are starting to see why the praise was there all along. Emeka Egbuka may have started as a Buckeye standout, but his work ethic, intelligence, and adaptability are building a new reputation in the NFL. And with teammates like Steve Smith Sr., Mike Evans, and Baker Mayfield all applauding his traits.