Former Oregon running back Bucky Irving was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 125th overall pick in the 4th round of the NFL Draft on Saturday. After a career year in Eugene, Irving will look to start his professional career in the city that saw a Super Bowl victory just three years ago.
Irving racked up 3,722 all-purpose yards and 25 touchdowns in his three years with the Ducks, including a 2023 season that saw him rush for 1,180 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging 6.3 yards per carry. After fellow running back Noah Whittington went down with a season-ending injury in Oregon’s Week 4 game against Colorado, Irving took on even more of the burden, scoring crucial touchdowns and extending drives.
While he’s not the biggest back available (he’s listed at 5’10’’ and 195 lbs), he projects as a rotation back able to add a multitude of abilities to a room, including good hands and an uncanny ability to make second-level defenders miss.
The Buccaneers currently roster several backs, including Rachaad White and Chase Edmonds, but Irving will undoubtedly compete for a roster spot throughout training camp and preseason.
