The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are building a unique connection with their newest additions, highlighted by a special bond between rookie wide receiver Tez Johnson and veteran running back Bucky Irving. Johnson’s desire to play alongside Irving in Tampa Bay materialized when he was selected with the 235th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Buccaneers. This shared ambition, repeatedly expressed by Johnson, underscores a promising dynamic within the team’s roster. Johnson consistently voiced his wish to collaborate with Irving, a sentiment Irving recipro cated, urging Johnson to focus on his work ethic and trust in a positive outcome. "He used to always say when he would be watching my games or anything like that, he would say, 'Bro, I want to come down with you to Tampa," Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving stated on the “Up and Adams Show.” This demonstrates a foundational element for Johnson’s success within the Buccaneers organization. Both Johnson and Irving experienced immediate success at Oregon University, where they formed a formidable offensive duo. Irving, a standout running back, rushed for over 1000 yards in each of his two seasons as an Oregon Duck, showcasing his power and efficiency. Johnson’s contributions were equally impressive, culminating in his ranking among the top five all-time receivers for the Ducks and amassing the most yards after catch within the Power Five conferences over the past two years. This shared history and demonstrated talent form the basis for a potentially explosive offensive combination in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers are now poised to join a select group of NFL teams – including the Denver Broncos – that boast two or more former Oregon Ducks players on their active roster, signaling a strategic focus on recruiting talent from a prominent collegiate program. The Broncos, in particular, represent a recent and significant connection, reflecting a deliberate approach to building a roster with established collegiate stars. "

Johnson’s admiration for Irving is particularly noteworthy, citing Irving’s elusive running style and ability to evade tackles, describing it as similar to Johnson’s own playing style. Johnson stated, "He is slippery, and he doesn’t go down,” and further elaborated, “He does not let anybody bring him down and it is kind of similar to me and how shifty he is at his size, and I am the same kind of way for my size. We are just elite together so that is why I watch him the most, and he was at a higher level than me.” This mutual respect and assessment of each other’s strengths are crucial for a successful integration within the Buccaneers’ offense. Irving’s rookie season further solidified his impact, as he led all rookies with 1,122 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns, establishing a franchise record of 5.4 rush yards/attempt – the third-highest mark in NFL history, trailing only Adrian Peterson and Clinton Portis. "

Despite facing the challenges inherent in being a seventh-round draft pick, Johnson’s initial opportunities may lie in special teams, where he averaged 8.9 yards per punt return during his time with the Ducks. The combination of Irving’s established performance and Johnson’s potential impact offers a promising outlook for the Buccaneers’ future, built on a foundation of mutual admiration and strategic recruitment. "