Tez Johnson Earns Buccaneers Roster Spot After Preseason Heroics

When Tez Johnson, the seventh‑round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, hauled in all eight targets for 58 yards and a touchdown in the preseason finale, the stadium erupted – and his spot on the 53‑man roster was suddenly a lock.

The game unfolded on August 23, 2025, at The Licht House, the Buccaneers’ temporary practice venue, against the Buffalo Bills. That performance erased a muffed punt in Pittsburgh the week before and turned heads across the front office.

Preseason Finale Secures Roster Spot

General Manager Jason Licht, a Hall of Famer of his own making, told the WFLA‑TV crew, “We loved Tez from day one. He’s the kind of player who makes the whole practice field light up.” The comment wasn’t just hype; it reflected a scouting report that had listed Johnson as the best player on the University of Oregon squad for two straight seasons.

Offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard was spotted offering a quiet pep talk after the Steelers‑Bucs game, a gesture that resembled a dad comforting a kid after a rough play. That reassurance seemed to fuel a bounce‑back that the Buccaneers desperately needed.

• Eight targets – 58 yards – 1 TD in the first half.
• All catches came on routes that stretched the defense vertically.
• Secured a roster spot the day after the game.

From Alabama Hardship to Oregon Stardom

Born May 18, 2002, in Birmingham, Alabama, Johnson’s early life reads like a drama. His father died by suicide when he was an infant, and he grew up in government‑subsidized housing in Pinson, Alabama. At 15, quarterback Bo Nix’s family opened their home to him – a move that would change his trajectory.

At Pinson Valley High School, Johnson and Nix led the Raiders to a class 6A state championship. As a junior, he hauled in 106 receptions for 1,457 yards and 10 touchdowns, including a 17‑catch, 247‑yard, three‑score outburst that sits eighth in Alabama history for single‑game catches.

After an impressive senior season – 62 catches for 1,140 yards and 12 touchdowns – the three‑star recruit chose the Troy Trojans, then transferred to the University of Oregon. There, he posted 169 receptions for 2,080 yards and 20 touchdowns over 26 games (2023‑24), cementing his reputation as a deep‑ball threat.

Early Season Impact and Key Games

Johnson signed a four‑year rookie contract in May 2025. By Week 6, he logged six receptions for 112 yards and a 45‑yard touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in a 30‑19 win. That catch came on a post route from quarterback Baker Mayfield late in the third quarter.

The 49ers game also highlighted Johnson’s durability: 38 snaps – 72% of the offense – while injuries forced the Buccaneers to sit stalwarts Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (fibula). Even Emeka Egbuka exited with a hamstring pull, thrusting the rookie into a larger role.

Statistically, Johnson is averaging 18.7 yards per catch, a figure that tops all Buccaneers wideouts with more than five receptions. His explosive speed has already drawn comparisons to former Bucs deep threats like Antonio Brown.

Depth Chart Shake‑up and Future Role

Veteran returner Trey Palmer saw limited action in the Bills game, while fellow rookie Kameron Johnson handled punt returns. That suggests Palmer could be the next cut, though trade talks hint at a possible seventh‑round pick in return.

Looking ahead to the Week 7 Monday night clash with the Detroit Lions, Johnson will compete with Ryan Miller for the No. 3 receiver slot. Miller, who led the preseason in yards for Tampa Bay, brings familiarity, yet Johnson’s target share and yardage were the highest among Buccaneers during the preseason.

With the receiving corps bruised – Evans, Godwin, and Egbuka coping with injuries – the coaching staff has hinted that Johnson’s role could expand from a situational deep threat to a regular slot‑receiver who also handles punt returns. Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles reportedly told the locker room, “If you’re ready, the ball’s yours.”

What This Means for the Buccaneers’ Playoff Push

The Buccaneers sit 5‑2, atop the NFC South, and every snap matters. Johnson’s emergence adds a new dimension to an offense that has relied heavily on the Evans‑Godwin tandem. Should the injuries linger, Johnson could become the go‑to guy on third‑down conversions, especially in the stretch‑the‑field game plan that Bowles favors.

Analysts at ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown” noted, “A seventh‑rounder with this kind of production is a rarity. If he continues at this clip, the Buccaneers could have a hidden ace that propels them into the playoffs.”

Beyond the on‑field impact, Johnson’s story – from Pinson’s subsidized housing to the NFL’s biggest stage – resonates with fans who love an underdog narrative. If he keeps delivering big plays, his name could become a staple on Bucs jerseys as quickly as the heroes of yesteryear.