Former Oregon Duck Bucky Irving Displays 'Explosive' Catches At Tampa Bay Training Camp

Not too long ago, Oregon Ducks Football fans were cheering as running back Bucky Irving punched in the final touchdown of the Ducks’ 2023 season versus Liberty in the VRBO Fiesta Bowl. Now, the fourth-round NFL Draft pick is suited up in the white and red of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for his rookie training camp. Word is, he’s raising the sails, and expectations, for his new crew.

“It’s not different for me because when I was at Oregon we was in pass everyday so I’m pretty much used to it,” Irving said in a media availability today with the Buccaneers. “The guys thudding me up, I mean you’ve got to practice how you play.”

The Buccaneers are rumored to switch up their weapons on offense under new Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen to incorporate a variety of inside, outside, and mid zone as well as duo and gap. With the duo being a favorite run scheme for the Buccaneers, that leaves Irving with a lot of opportunity to find new gaps to push through.

“At first it was challenging, real challenging,” said Irving about learning the Buccaneer’s offense. “Coming from an Oregon offense to this offense but you have to take the time and sit back and notice schemes or what he’s trying to accomplish getting his guys, his play makers the ball and the space and being there to create explosive plays.”

When pressed to explain more about the difference between Oregon and Tampa Bay’s offense, Irving said it all comes down to memorizing new terms.

“Just the terminology is way longer so you’ve just got to be ready to - you’ve got all the time in the world to lock in and go through your playbook, go through your playbook, but I’ve just been doing a great job because I’m just kind of a routine guy,” Irving said.

Irving was also asked about his receiving chops, as he’s taken a few reps during drills.

“That’s what they brought me here to do, to catch balls out of the back field,” Irving said. “I want to thank my OC at Oregon for having me do that in college, for putting it on tape. And when I got here I got to be able to showcase my abilities.”

Nice shoutout for Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein!

Rachaad White, an Arizona State Alumnus and one year veteran for the Buccaneers, has been a mentor for Irving throughout his first few days at training camp.

“I feel like at running back, you have to play for one another,” Irving said in a previous interview during training camp. “His game - being able to catch and being able to make explosive runs, I feel like my game is pretty similar to his."

Irving suggested that his journey from the field at Autzen to the AdventHealth Training Center has felt less competitive, and more like tenured veterans working as a team.

“I’d probably say in college, you’ve got a lot more guys that are trying to tee-off on you. Here, you’ve got guys that have been in the league for a long time so they kind of know how to throw it up and take care of each other but it’s been a great transition,” Irving said.

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