Emeka Egbuka
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
988
APPEARANCES
5
PODCASTS
Sep 16, 2026
speaker_1CORRESPONDENT
guys.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
That's not the standard we want to play to as a team, but it was also encouraging because he's not someone who's going to get overly down on himself.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
When you think of Baker Mayfield, you think of a competitor, but he doesn't let the negative plays affect him.
speaker_15CORRESPONDENT
What does he bring to this offense?
speaker_64UNKNOWN
What stood out to you even when he wasn't on the field this spring that, that makes you think that he can be a, a legitimate impact player for you guys?
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
Well yeah, first and foremost he got, he got voted on by his peers to the leadership committee on our team which is a group of about, you know, 16 to 20 of our, of our guys who the team looks to as leaders.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
So even though he hasn't seen the field too much yet, um, we have no, we have no, um, concern that when he does step onto the field he's gonna make a great impact.
2 HRS 8 MINS LATER
speaker_42UNKNOWN
What stood out to you, even when he wasn't on the field this spring, that, that make you think that he can be a, a legitimate impact player for y'all?
Unknown podcast
Press Conferences(Dre'Mont Jones) Elite Edition August 6
Aug 6 · 5h 20m
speaker_25UNKNOWN
just not see maybe the smoothest pass to get onto the field?
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
I feel like I'm a very talented guy and I can compete here and I can compete anywhere in the country.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
And I just feel like I just wanted to be valued somewhere and just really seen what I was doing and not really take it for granted.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
And I mean, like I said, when I had them talk to Coach Day and Coach Hart, It was nothing taken for granted.
speaker_15UNKNOWN
Is that an eye opener versus like when you're hearing it versus actually experiencing what's actually necessary to be able to move up a pecking order?
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (Steve Sarkishian) August 69 Massive
Aug 6 · 5h 24m
speaker_87UNKNOWN
Steven Means, cleveland.com.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
When you and Mara first got here, Garrett and Chris were adamant about the way that you guys, even as freshmen, were pushing two guys who were about to be first-round draft picks.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
How did JJ push you guys when he first got here as the young guy, and now you guys are the older guys? Yeah, I would say it's, it's very similar.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
And, um, you know, I don't know what it is about the culture in Zone Six, but we ki- we keep bringing in these type of people year in and year out.
speaker_91UNKNOWN
Mecha, when you were a kid playing in the backyard dreaming about the game, what team were you playing for?
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (Steve Sarkishian) August
Aug 6 · 5h 24m
speaker_48UNKNOWN
Mac, when you were a kid playing in the backyard and dreaming about the game, what team were you playing
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
for? Honestly, I was never really a Buckeye fan until I really committed here and I saw what it was all about.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
I was actually an Oregon fan growing up, especially on the Pacific Northwest.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
You know, my grandpa went to UW and stuff like that, so I liked the Huskies too.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
But there was a legendary football player named Foto Liato from my high school, and he went to Oregon.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
And a couple of y'all probably know that story from a couple of years back, but he tragically died in a car accident.
speaker_28UNKNOWN
came in? Did you look at the stat sheet and cry, and I was only going to get one or two?
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (Bryce West) August
Aug 6 · 5h 24m
speaker_70UNKNOWN
Megan, how have you seen Jeremiah Smith grow over camp to be able to put this opportunity to start on Saturday?
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
Um, I think, you know, it's, it's no secret that he has all the physical capabilities that you would want in a receiver, really any position.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
He could play any position on the football field, um, with his athletic ability.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
But, um, so a lot of it for him was putting together the mental piece of the game.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
You know, not just u-understanding what he has on a specific play, but the whole concept, um, understanding defenses, all that type of stuff.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
So, um, there's nothing really that can get you ready for that moment, for your first snap in college, 'cause it is different than high school.
speaker_116UNKNOWN
What have you seen faith continue to bring, uh, the team together?
Unknown podcast
Press Conferences (Jason Moore) August 6 Elite
Aug 6 · 5h 24m
speaker_124UNKNOWN
Emeka, when you were a kid playing in the backyard dreaming about the game, what team were you playing for?
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
[laughs] Um, honestly, I wasn't-- I was never really a, a Buckeye fan until, you know, I really committed here and I, and I saw what it was all about.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
I was actually an Oregon fan growing up, especially on the Pacific Northwest.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
Um, you know, my grandpa went to UDub and stuff like that, so I liked the Huskies too.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
But, um, there was a, a legendary football player named Fotu Liatu from my high school, and he went to Oregon.
speaker_124UNKNOWN
You guys ever surprised when the game ends and you look at the stat sheet and Cardinal's only got one or two catches?
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (Jason Moore) August 6 Elite
Aug 6 · 5h 24m
speaker_64UNKNOWN
Emeka, when you were a kid playing in the backyard dreaming about the game, what team were you playing for?
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
[laughs] Um, honestly, I wasn't, I was never really a, a Buckeye fan until, you know, I really committed here and I, and I saw what it was all about.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
I was actually an Oregon fan growing up, especially on the Pacific Northwest.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
Um, you know, my grandpa went to UDub and stuff like that, so I liked the Huskies too.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
But, um, there was a, a legendary football player named Fotu Liatu from my high school, and he went to Oregon.
speaker_129UNKNOWN
Were you guys ever surprised when the game ended and you looked at the stat sheet and Cardinal's only gotten one or two catches?
Unknown podcast
Press Conferences (Jason Moore) August
Aug 6 · 5h 24m
speaker_9UNKNOWN
Emeka, when you were a kid playing in the backyard dreaming about the game, what team were you playing for?
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
[laughs] Um, honestly, I wasn't, I was never really a, a Buckeye fan until, you know, I really committed here and I, and I saw what it was all about.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
I was actually an Oregon fan growing up, especially on the Pacific Northwest.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
Um, you know, my grandpa went to UDub and stuff like that, so I liked the Huskies too.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
But, um, there was a, a legendary football player named Fatu Liauto from my high school, and he went to Oregon.
speaker_141UNKNOWN
Were you guys ever surprised when the game ends and you look at the stat sheet and Cardinal's only got like one or two catches?
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (Jason Moore) August
Aug 6 · 5h 24m
Tony GerdemanUNKNOWN
Mekka, when you were a kid playing in the backyard dreaming about the game, what team were you playing for?
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
A Buckeye fan until, you know, I really committed here and I, and I saw what it was all about.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
I was actually an Oregon fan growing up, especially on the Pacific Northwest.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
Um, you know, my grandpa went to UDub and stuff like that, so I like the Huskies too.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
But, um, there was a, a legendary football player named Fotu Liatu from my high school, and he went to Oregon.
speaker_127UNKNOWN
You guys ever surprised when the game ends and you look at the stat sheet and Cardinal's only gotten like one or two catches?
Unknown podcast
Press Conferences (Malik Hartford) August 6 Elite
Aug 6 · 5h 24m
speaker_46UNKNOWN
Mekhi, when you were a kid playing in the backyard dreaming about the game, what team were you playing for?
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
[laughs] Um, honestly, I wasn't, I was never really a, a Buckeye fan until, you know, I really committed here and I, and I saw what it was all about.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
I was actually an Oregon fan growing up, especially on the Pacific Northwest.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
Um, you know, my grandpa went to UDub and stuff like that, so I liked the Huskies, too.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
But, um, there was a, a legendary football player named Fotu Liatu from my high school, and he went to Oregon.
speaker_44UNKNOWN
Were you guys ever surprised when the game ended and you looked at the stat sheet and Cardinals only had like one or two catches?
Unknown podcast
Press Conferences (Malik Hartford) August
Aug 6 · 5h 24m
speaker_18UNKNOWN
Mac, when you were a kid playing in the backyard and dreaming about the game, what team were you playing
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
for? Honestly, I was never really a Buckeye fan until I really committed here and I saw what it was all about.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
I was actually an Oregon fan growing up, especially on the Pacific Northwest.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
You know, my grandpa went to UW and stuff like that, so I like the Huskies too.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
But there was a legendary football player named Foto Liato from my high school, and he went to Oregon.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
And a couple of y'all probably know that story from a couple of years back, but he tragically died in a car accident.
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (Malik Hartford) August
Aug 6 · 5h 24m
speaker_22UNKNOWN
Mecca, when you were a kid playing in the backyard and dreaming about the game, what team were you playing
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
for? Honestly, I was never really a Buckeye fan until I really committed here and I saw what it was all about.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
I was actually an Oregon fan growing up, especially on the Pacific Northwest.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
You know, my grandpa went to UW and stuff like that, so I like the Huskies too.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
But there was a legendary football player named Foto Liato from my high school, and he went to Oregon.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
And a couple of y'all probably know that story from a couple of years back, but he tragically died in a car accident.
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (Parris Campbell) August 69 Massive
Aug 6 · 5h 24m
speaker_60UNKNOWN
What have you seen Faith continue to bring, uh, the team together?
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
together?Yeah, I mean, it's been a, it's been a huge part of everything that we've done.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
Been a huge part of a lot of the reasons why the seniors came back and everything like that.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
So we have a team Bible study that we continue to do and continue to grow, um, kind of just preach the truth of, of the gospel to the guys on the team.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
And, um, it's definitely permeated throughout the team throughout the years because, you know, looking back a couple years ago, there wasn't that many people on the team heavily into their faith.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
Um, and along came a couple special people who really changed the dynamics of our program.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
But, um, you know, in the Bible it says, "One man plans and the other man watches," but God ultimately brings the increase.
speaker_55UNKNOWN
What are the challenges it presents and have you this, this first game been exactly what you expected it to be for everything you could have gotten from the Ohio State game?
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (Parris Campbell) August
Aug 6 · 5h 24m
speaker_53UNKNOWN
Malika, how have you seen Jeremiah Smith grow over camp to be able to put for this opportunity starting Saturday?
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
Um, I think, you know, it's, it's no secret that he has all the physical capabilities that you would want in a receiver.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
He could play any position [laughs] on the football field, um, with his athletic ability.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
But, um, so a lot of it for him was putting together the mental piece of the game.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
You know, not just un-understanding what he has on a specific play, but the whole concept, um, understanding defenses, all that type of stuff.
speaker_53UNKNOWN
How have you seen faith continue to bring, uh, the team together?
Unknown podcast
Press Conferences (Eemka Egbuka) August 6 Massive
Aug 6 · 5h 24m
speaker_2UNKNOWN
Emeka, when you were a kid playing in the backyard dreaming about the game, what team were you playing for?
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
[laughs] Um, honestly, I wasn't, I was never really a, a Buckeye fan until, you know, I really committed here and I, and I saw what it was all about.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
Um, you know, my grandpa went to UDub and stuff like that, so I liked the Huskies, too.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
But, um, there was a, a legendary football player named Fotu Liatu from my high school, and he went to Oregon.
speaker_3UNKNOWN
Were you guys ever surprised when the game ended and you looked at the stat sheet and Cardinal's only got like one or two catches?
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (Eemka Egbuka) August 6 Massive
Aug 6 · 5h 24m
speaker_14MODERATOR
Mac, when you were a kid playing in the backyard and dreaming about the game, what team were you playing
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
for? Honestly, I was never really a Buckeye fan until I really committed here and I saw what it was all about.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
But there was a legendary football player named Fotu Liatu from my high school, and he went to Oregon.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
And a couple of you all probably know that story from a couple of years back, but he tragically died in a car accident.
speaker_17CORRESPONDENT
and you look at the stat sheet
Unknown podcast
Press Conferences (Eemka Egbuka) August
Aug 6 · 5h 24m
BluffADVERTISER
Mackey, when you were a kid playing in the backyard dreaming about the game, what team were you playing for?
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
[laughs] Um, honestly, I wasn't, I was never really a, a Buckeye fan until, you know, I really committed here and I, and I saw what it was all about.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
Um, you know, my grandpa went to UDub and stuff like that, so I liked the Huskies too.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
But, um, there was a, a legendary football player named Fotu Liatu from my high school, and he went to Oregon.
BluffADVERTISER
You guys ever surprised when the game ends and you look at the stat sheet and Cardinal's only got, like, one or two catches?
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (Eemka Egbuka) August
Aug 6 · 5h 24m
speaker_15UNKNOWN
Mecca, when you were a kid playing in the backyard and dreaming about the game, what team were you playing
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
for? Honestly, I was never really a Buckeye fan until I really committed here and I saw what it was all about.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
You know, my grandpa went to UW and stuff like that, so I liked the Huskies too, but there was a legendary football player named Foto Liato from my high school, and he went to Oregon.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
And a couple of y'all probably know that story from a couple of years back, but he tragically died in a car accident.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
You know, I was relatively close with him, even though he was a bit older than me in age, but just seeing what he did at my high school and then going on to play big-time football at Oregon, that was a school that I really dreamed of going to.
speaker_6UNKNOWN
stat sheet and cried and was like,
Unknown podcast
Press Conferences (Jordan Hancock) August 6 Massive
Aug 6 · 5h 25m
speaker_60UNKNOWN
Mecca, how have you seen Jeremiah Smith grow over camp to be able to get this opportunity to start on Saturday?
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
Um, I think, you know, it's, it's no secret that he has all the physical capabilities that you would want in a receiver.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
He could play any position [laughs] on the football field, um, with his athletic ability.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
But, um, so a lot of it for him was putting together the mental piece of the game.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
You know, not just un-understanding what he has on a specific play, but the whole concept, um, understanding defenses, all that type of stuff.
speaker_60UNKNOWN
Mecca, how have you seen faith continue to bring, um, the team together?
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (Jordan Hancock) August 6 Massive
Aug 6 · 5h 25m
speaker_121UNKNOWN
Mecca, how have you seen Jeremiah Smith grow over camp to be able to put for this opportunity to start on Saturday?
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
Um, I think, you know, it's, it's no secret that he has all the physical capabilities that you would want in a receiver, really any position.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
He could play any [laughs] position on the football field, um, with his athletic ability.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
But, um, so a lot of it for him was putting together the mental piece of the game.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
You know, not just un- understanding what he has on a specific play, but the whole concept, um, understanding defenses, all that type of stuff.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
So, um, there's nothing really that can get you ready for that moment, for your first snap in college 'cause it is different than high school.
speaker_121UNKNOWN
And how have you seen faith continue to bring, um, the team together?
Unknown podcast
Press Conferences (Payton Pierce) August 6 Elite
Aug 6 · 5h 25m
speaker_47UNKNOWN
Micah, how have you seen Jeremiah Smith grow over camp to be able to put for this opportunity to start on Saturday?
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
Um, I think, you know, it's, it's no secret that he has all the physical capabilities that you would want in a receiver or really any position.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
He could play any position [laughs] on the football field, um, with his athletic ability.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
But, um, so a lot of it for him was putting together the mental piece of the game.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
You know, not just un-understanding what he has on a specific play, but the whole concept, um, understanding defenses, all that type of stuff.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
So, um, there's nothing really that can get you ready for that moment for your first snap in college 'cause it is different than high school.
speaker_47UNKNOWN
And how have you seen faith continue to bring, uh, the team together?
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (Payton Pierce) August 6 Massive
Aug 6 · 5h 25m
speaker_118UNKNOWN
YeahWhat's kinda helped you grow a- as a leader, and, and what's kinda helped you grow more comfortable, I guess, as being kind of a voice in the locker room?
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
Um, I would s- just attribute that to my faith and my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
I think before you can lead anybody else, you have to have a sense of foundation in who you are, um, and, and having a sense of self, uh, idea of self.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
And I think the more that I've been able to be strong in my faith, um, the more confidence it, it has given me into being leaders to other people, le- and being a- able to be a leader to other people.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
How, how can you lead people if you're not really sure of where you are? And then also, um, when it comes to, you know, practic- practicality of football, I think the more you have an understanding of the offense and the more veteran you are in this offense, the more that you know, the more ability you can then hand knowledge to the next, um, group of younger guys coming behind you.
speaker_118UNKNOWN
Who were maybe some of the veterans the last few years that, you know, you kinda were able to learn from as well and noticed that they were pretty good leaders as well?
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (Payton Pierce) August
Aug 6 · 5h 25m
speaker_42UNKNOWN
Meck, how have you seen Jeremiah Smith grow over camp to be able to put for this opportunity to start on Saturday?
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
Um, I think, you know, it's, it's no secret that he has all the physical capabilities that you would want at a receiver or really any position.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
He could play any position on the football field, um, with his athletic ability.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
But, um, so a lot of it for him was putting together the mental piece of the game.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
You know, not just un-understanding what he has on a specific play, but the whole concept, um, understanding defenses, all that type of stuff.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
So, um, there's nothing really that can get you ready for that moment for your first snap in college 'cause it is different than high school.
speaker_42UNKNOWN
And how have you seen faith continue to bring, uh, the team together?
Unknown podcast
Press Conference (Pete Werner) August 6 Massive
Aug 6 · 5h 25m
speaker_24UNKNOWN
Malik, how have you seen Jeremiah Smith grow over camp to be able to put for this opportunity to start on Saturday?
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
Yeah, um, I think you know, it's, it's no secret that he has all the physical capabilities that you would want out of receiver.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
He could play any position on the football field, um, with his athletic ability.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
But, um, so a lot of it for him was putting together the mental piece of the game.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
You know, not just understanding what he has on a specific play, but the whole concept, um, understanding defenses, all that type of stuff.
Emeka EgbukaGUEST
So, um, there's nothing really that can get you ready for that moment for your first snap in college 'cause it is different than high school.
speaker_24UNKNOWN
And how have you seen faith continue to bring, uh, the team together?
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