Can Bucky Irving Avoid Sophomore Slump with Buccaneers?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie Bucky Irving’s rise from backup to legitimate starter in his first season was a breakout story worth watching.

After starting behind Rachaad White, Bucky Irving consistently made the most of every opportunity. He did so by showcasing his talent and eventually supplanting White as the Bucs’ top running back.

Irving’s rookie season stats – 1,122 rushing yards, 8 touchdowns, and 47 catches for 392 yards. This tells the story of a fourth-round draft pick who far exceeded expectations.

Now, with 2025 on the horizon, the question is whether Bucky Irving can repeat his breakout performance. According to ESPN’s Mike Clay, the answer is yes – his projections have Irving continuing to rise as one of the NFL’s top running backs.

Irving’s 2025 projection: 1,227 yards, eight touchdowns, 53 receptions, 409 yards, three touchdowns.

Projected totals of 1,636 all-purpose yards and 11 touchdowns suggest Irving’s sophomore season could be just as impactful as his impressive rookie debut.

Such numbers would likely put Irving in Pro Bowl consideration and cement his status as Baker Mayfield’s top running back.

Irving’s powerful yet speedy running style, combined with his skills as a pass-catcher, make him a versatile dual-threat back – a role he’ll likely fill prominently under new OC Josh Grizzard in 2025.

While it’s just a projection, Irving has the talent and opportunity to reach these numbers, and if he does, it would be a remarkable start to his NFL career, especially considering he wasn’t even the starter just a year ago.

Bucky Irving was definitely a surprise in 2024. As mentioned earlier, his speed and quickness combined with his physicality is not common in the NFL. Look for Irving to match or exceed Clay’s predictions in 2025.