ESPN believes the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one of the NFL’s better collections of young talent.
In its annual All-Under-25 rankings, Aaron Schatz placed the Buccaneers 14th in the league heading into the 2026 season. Tampa Bay climbed two spots from last year’s No. 16 ranking, thanks to a growing group of contributors on both sides of the ball.
Schatz identified wide receiver Emeka Egbuka as Tampa Bay’s lone “blue-chip” player under 25. The former first-round pick totaled 938 receiving yards and six touchdowns during his rookie season and is expected to take on an even larger role following Mike Evans’ departure.
The Buccaneers’ young receiving corps also earned recognition. Schatz pointed to 24-year-old Jalen McMillan, 24-year-old Tez Johnson, and 22-year-old rookie Ted Hurst III as additional pieces that give Tampa Bay one of the younger receiver groups in the league. He also highlighted 24-year-old running back Bucky Irving and starting center Graham Barton as key offensive building blocks.
On defense, Schatz focused primarily on Tampa Bay’s recent draft classes. First-round edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. headlines the group after arriving as one of the most intriguing rookies in the NFL, while second-round linebacker Josiah Trotter also received mention despite being just 21 years old.
The secondary wasn’t overlooked either. Schatz noted that cornerbacks Jacob Parrish and Benjamin Morrison, both members of the Buccaneers’ 2025 draft class, are still only 22 years old. He also mentioned fourth-round rookie Keionte Scott, noting that, while he’s entering his first NFL season, he’s already 25.
Schatz also recognized two players who have graduated from Tampa Bay’s under-25 core. Defensive lineman Calijah Kancey and safety Tykee Smith were listed as notable graduates after aging out of the rankings.
With a roster built around ascending young talent and established veterans, the Buccaneers appear well-positioned to compete now while continuing to build a foundation for the future.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Which Bucs players made ESPN’s All-Backup team before the 2026 season?
Reporting by Mason Riney, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mason Riney, Buccaneers Wire | USA TODAY Network
