ER #83

Eric Rivers Jr.

Wide Receiver · Georgia Tech

A three-school transfer with elite deep speed who became a Group of Five All-American at FIU before landing in Tampa.

Eric Rivers Jr. took the long way to the NFL, starting as a walk-on defensive back at Memphis before reinventing himself as one of the most explosive vertical threats in college football at FIU. He signed with the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2026, reuniting with former FIU teammate Dean Patterson.

★ First-team All-Conference USA (2024)

★ Group of Five All-American (2024)

★ 4.35-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine

★ 1,566 career receiving yards across Memphis, FIU and Georgia Tech

Path to the league

Rivers grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and starred at The McCallie School before walking on at Memphis as a three-star recruit and defensive back. A shoulder injury cost him the 2022 season, and he transferred to FIU in 2023 before finishing his career at Georgia Tech in 2025. He went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft and signed with Tampa Bay on May 8, 2026.

Career highlights

Rivers broke out at FIU in 2024, setting a school record with 295 receiving yards against New Mexico State and finishing the season with 62 receptions for 1,172 yards and 12 touchdowns, earning first-team All-Conference USA and Group of Five All-American recognition. He ran a 4.35-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, among the fastest times recorded by any receiver.

2025 season recap

After transferring to Georgia Tech for his final season, Rivers appeared in seven games and caught 23 passes for 257 yards and a touchdown, a smaller role than his breakout FIU campaign. He finishes his college career with 97 receptions, 1,566 yards and 14 touchdowns across three schools, and now competes for a depth role in Tampa Bay's receiver room.