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Ohio State rookie breaks the Falcons' hearts with game-winning touchdown

The former Ohio State football player had a heck of an NFL debut.
ByRyan Stano|
Sep 7, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Sep 7, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Ohio State football program produces first-round picks at the wide receiver position every single year. They have had a receiver taken in the first round of the NFL Draft in each of the last four years. This year, that honor went to Emeka Egbuka, who was taken by the Buccaneers.

Tampa decided to draft Egbuka 19th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. He immediately started turning heads in training camp. It was very clear in the preseason that Egbuka was going to be one of their best players on the offensive side of the ball, and that was immediately clear in the first game he played.

Egbuka played his first game against the Falcons in Atlanta. He made an immediate impact, scoring the only two touchdowns that Tampa Bay had. His last touchdown was the most impactful, as he had the game-winning TD that broke Falcons fans' hearts with under a minute left.

Former Ohio State football player Emeka Egbuka breaks Falcons' fans hearts with late touchdown catch

Egbuka caught the game-winning touchdown pass with just 59 seconds left in the game. He ran a crisp route and made a really nice catch after Baker Mayfield put the ball in a perfect spot to make a catch.

When he was with the Ohio State Buckeyes, Egbuka was able to make big plays like this all the time. He was an underrated receiver on a team that had great pass-catchers throughout his career. Even last year, he wasn't the number-one option on the team because they had Jeremiah Smith.

Egbuka has already proven that he can be the top option in the offense, even as a rookie. He finished his first NFL game with four catches for 67 yards and two touchdowns. Mayfield already seems to have chemistry with him, so he could have a very productive rookie year.

The Buccaneers are looking to compete for a Super Bowl appearance after making the playoffs a year ago. They believe Egbuka can help give them an extra gear to the offense that they didn't have before. In just one game, that seems to be the case.

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