From Nigeria to the NFL: Ben Chukwuma’s Remarkable Rise and Promising First Start with the Bucs
TAMPA, Fla. - Two years ago, Ben Chukwuma had never played a snap of organized football. Now?
He’s starting at left tackle in the NFL, protecting Baker Mayfield’s blindside and holding his own against one of the league’s most disruptive pass rushers. That’s not just a leap - it’s a rocket ride.
“This feels like a dream,” Chukwuma said after making his first NFL start. “Two years ago, I played my first ever football game.
Today, I’m starting in the NFL. It’s crazy.”
From Longshot to Sunday Starter
Born in Nigeria, Chukwuma is just the 37th player of Nigerian descent to reach the NFL, according to Pro Football Reference. His football journey began at Georgia State, and even then, he wasn’t considered a can’t-miss prospect. He went undrafted, signed with the Buccaneers as a free agent, and entered training camp as a longshot to even make the roster.
But Chukwuma didn’t just make the team - he made an impact.
Stepping in for an injured Tristan Wirfs, Chukwuma got the start against the Saints, and while it wasn’t perfect (as no rookie debut ever is), it was more than solid. More importantly, it was mistake-free.
No penalties. No sacks allowed.
Just steady, physical football - exactly what you want from a young lineman thrown into the fire.
“I did pretty much good,” Chukwuma said with a smile. “This is my first time going against all these elite NFL players, so I held myself, yeah.”
Earning Respect in the Trenches
The guy he was protecting had nothing but praise.
“I thought he did a great job,” said Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield. “There’s stuff he’ll want to fix, sure, but for his first real NFL snaps?
He was locked in. No pre-snap penalties, none of that.
That’s huge for a first start.”
Mayfield wasn’t sacked once in the game, and that clean sheet starts with the offensive line - particularly the man on the edge tasked with keeping the quarterback upright against a relentless Saints front.
Chukwuma credits his teammates for helping him stay grounded.
“Every player was saying, ‘Ben, you’ve got this. It’s just like preseason.
It’s just like practice,’” he said. “Everybody showed me love, and I was able to play fast and strong.”
That fast, physical play didn’t go unnoticed by the coaching staff.
A Rookie’s Test: Facing Chase Young
Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard saw a young lineman rise to the challenge - and not just any challenge. Chukwuma spent most of the afternoon lined up across from Chase Young, the former No. 2 overall pick who’s having one of his best seasons yet.
“That’s a tall task,” Grizzard said. “But from an effort, mentality, and preparation standpoint, it was really good to see.
He hadn’t played much, and now he’s starting. We told him, ‘Once the ball’s snapped, it doesn’t matter where you were drafted.
It’s one-on-one, and you’ve got to block him.’ I thought he met the challenge and played really physical.”
There’s no sugarcoating how tough that assignment is - Chase Young isn’t just a name; he’s a problem. But Chukwuma didn’t back down.
He battled. He absorbed lessons in real time.
And more than anything, he showed that he belongs on an NFL field.
Staying Ready, Staying Humble
Chukwuma knows the reality of the situation. When Tristan Wirfs is healthy, he’s the starter - and one of the best left tackles in football.
But that doesn’t change Chukwuma’s mindset. If his number is called again, he’ll be ready.
“It takes one snap, and we have to go in and play,” he said. “I take a lot of motivation from [the starters]. That’s how I was able to stay ready today.”
The rookie is already looking ahead, eager to build on what he started.
“Just pick up from the mistakes we made and get better,” Chukwuma said.
What’s Next?
Wirfs appears on track to return Thursday night against the Falcons, having practiced with the first-team offense this week. That likely means Chukwuma will slide back into a reserve role - but if his debut taught us anything, it’s that he’s more than just a depth piece. He’s a promising young lineman who’s proven he can step in and hold his own when it matters most.
And for a guy who picked up football just two years ago, that’s nothing short of remarkable.