Bucky Irving
Mar'Keise "Bucky" Irving is an American professional football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He played college football for the Minnesota Golden Gophers and Oregon Ducks.
Early life
Irving attended Hillcrest High School in Country Club Hills, Illinois. He did not play football his senior year in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He finished his high school career with 3,264 rushing yards. Irving committed to the University of Minnesota to play college football.College career
As a true freshman at Minnesota in 2021, Irving rushed 133 times for 699 yards and four touchdowns. After the season he transferred to the University of Oregon. During his first year at Oregon, Irving totaled 1,357 yards from scrimmage and 13 total touchdowns. In his second season Irving had 1,180 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 186 carries. He also caught 56 passes for 413 yards and two more touchdowns. Irving earned Associated Press All-Pac-12 first team, Coaches All-Pac-12 first team, Pro Football Focus All-Pac-12 first team, Phil Steele All-Pac-12 first team and CSC Academic All-America first team.Professional career
2024 Season
Irving was selected in the fourth round with the 125th overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2024 NFL draft.After beginning the season as the No. 2 back to Rachaad White, Irving's role increased as the season progressed. In Week 6 against the New Orleans Saints, he had 105 scrimmage yards and a touchdown in the 51–27 win. In week 12, against the New York Giants, he had 152 scrimmage yards in the 30–7 win. In Week 13, he ran for 153 yards and one touchdown, along with three catches for 33 yards in a 26–23 win over the Carolina Panthers, earning NFC Offensive Player of the Week. In Week 15 against the Chargers, he had 15 carries for 117 rushing yards in the 40–17 win. In Week 17 against the Panthers, he had 190 scrimmage yards in the 48–14 win. He finished his rookie season with 207 carries for 1,122 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns to go with 47 receptions for 392 receiving yards. Irving was the first Buccaneers rookie to rush for at least 1,000 yards since Doug Martin in the 2012 season. In the Buccaneers NFC Wild Card game against the Washington Commanders, Irving rushed for 77 yards and scored a touchdown, setting a franchise record for most rushing yards in a single playoff game by a rookie.
On January 21, 2025, Irving was named to the 2024 PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team.