Bucs Rookies Emeka Egbuka and Jacob Parrish Named to PFWA All-Rookie Team After Breakout Seasons
The future looks bright in Tampa Bay, and two rookies are leading the charge. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and cornerback Jacob Parrish have both earned spots on the Pro Football Writers of America’s 2025 All-Rookie Team - a nod to the immediate impact they made in their first NFL seasons.
The Bucs are one of seven teams to land multiple players on this year’s list, and it’s no coincidence. These two didn’t just flash potential - they delivered when Tampa Bay needed it most.
Emeka Egbuka: From First-Round Surprise to Offensive Spark Plug
When the Buccaneers used the 19th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to take Emeka Egbuka, it raised some eyebrows. Many expected Tampa Bay to go defense in the first round, but the front office stuck to their board and grabbed the best player available. That gamble paid off in a big way.
Egbuka didn’t have the luxury of easing into the NFL. With Chris Godwin Jr. sidelined until Week 4 and Jalen McMillan out until December with a neck injury, Egbuka was suddenly thrust into a major role behind Mike Evans. And he didn’t just hold his own - he exploded onto the scene.
In his NFL debut, Egbuka scored two touchdowns, including a game-winner in the final minute against Atlanta. That kind of poise under pressure is rare for a rookie, but Egbuka showed right away that he was built for the moment.
He followed that up with another touchdown in Week 2, and in Week 3, he hauled in six passes for 85 yards. But it was Weeks 4 and 5 where he truly announced himself as a rising star - and he did it without Evans in the lineup.
In Week 4, he posted 101 receiving yards and a touchdown on just four catches. Then came his breakout performance: seven catches, 163 yards, and a touchdown in a 38-35 thriller on the road against the Seahawks.
Yes, the production cooled off a bit as the season wore on - just one more 100-yard game and one touchdown after Week 5, both coming in Week 9 - but the foundation was set. Egbuka proved he could step into a high-volume role and produce. Whether or not Evans returns next season, the Bucs know they’ve got a go-to option in Egbuka for years to come.
Jacob Parrish: The Underdog Who Outshined Expectations
On the other side of the ball, Jacob Parrish quietly put together one of the most impressive rookie campaigns of any defensive back in the league. Selected 84th overall in the third round, Parrish wasn’t even the first corner the Bucs drafted - that was Benjamin Morrison, taken in the second round out of Notre Dame. But while Morrison struggled with injuries and limited playing time, Parrish seized the opportunity and never looked back.
Parrish earned the starting nickel corner job - a role that’s become a proving ground for Bucs rookies in recent years. In 2023 it was Christian Izien, an undrafted free agent.
In 2024, second-rounder Tykee Smith held the spot. This year, Parrish took over and made it his own.
And when injuries hit the secondary, he showed his versatility by sliding outside and holding his own there, too.
What Parrish lacks in size, he makes up for with grit, speed, and relentless effort. He plays with a chip on his shoulder, and it shows. He’s physical, aggressive, and never takes a play off - traits that helped him stand out even on a defense that had its fair share of struggles.
Parrish played in all 17 games, finishing with 76 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, seven pass breakups, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery. His first career pick came against Josh Allen in a road game against the Bills - not a bad way to introduce yourself. His second came in the season finale against Bryce Young and the Panthers, putting an exclamation point on a standout rookie campaign.
With Jamel Dean likely on the move and Zyon McCollum still trying to find his footing, the Bucs have some questions at corner heading into 2026. But one thing’s clear: Jacob Parrish is a key piece of the puzzle moving forward.
A Promising Rookie Class for Tampa Bay
Between Egbuka and Parrish, the Bucs have two rookies who not only stepped up in 2025 - they delivered in big moments and proved they belong on the NFL stage. Whether it’s hauling in game-winning touchdowns or locking down opposing receivers, both players gave Tampa Bay fans plenty to get excited about.
As the Bucs look to build on this rookie class heading into 2026, it’s clear they’ve laid the groundwork for a young core that could be special. Egbuka and Parrish didn’t just make the All-Rookie Team - they made a statement.