Tampa Bay, FL – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have found a shining star in their rookie running back, Bucky Irving, who truly made an impact during his first season in the NFL. Drafted in the fourth round from Oregon, many didn’t expect much from him initially. However, he proved to be more than just a late-round pick, earning recognition as one of the biggest gems in recent NFL Draft classes.
Irvine’s performance was outstanding, especially in a league filled with larger running backs like Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, and Bijan Robinson, who have more conventional size for the position. Despite this, Irving’s skillset shone through. He impressed fans and critics alike, earning a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team after a season that saw him rank ninth among running backs with an impressive 57 forced missed tackles. His tenacity on the field allowed him to average a remarkable 4.03 yards after contact per attempt, according to Pro Football Focus.
In the 2024 season, Irving finished as the top rookie running back with 1,122 rushing yards and found the end zone eight times. Adding to his contributions, he also tallied 392 receiving yards, resulting in a total of 1,514 yards from scrimmage. His ability to create plays has made him a crucial asset to the Buccaneers’ offense.
As the offseason progresses, many are eager to see if Irving can maintain this high level of production in future seasons. If he continues to perform at this level, he could establish himself as one of the best running backs in the NFL and a force that defenses will need to watch out for.
The Buccaneers players, including Irving, are currently enjoying their time off before heading to training camp on July 22. The excitement is in the air as fans look forward to another thrilling season ahead.
Stay tuned for more coverage on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their promising young talent.
