Tre Tucker’s offseason has been all about sharpening his game, both physically and mentally, and the results are already starting to show.
During a recent preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings, Tucker ran a go-route, first cutting to his right before adjusting to his left. With the help of his newly enhanced vision, he tracked the ball perfectly, leaping to make a spectacular 44-yard catch on a crucial third-and-11 play. The reception set up a short touchdown run and showcased just how far Tucker has come since undergoing Lasik eye surgery earlier this year.
The decision to get Lasik was a game-changer for Tucker, who is now able to see the field more clearly and make plays that might have been more challenging before. His standout performance against the Vikings was just one example of what he’s capable of when everything is in focus.
The Raiders drafted Tucker in the third round out of Cincinnati last year, largely due to his blazing 4.4-second speed in the 40-yard dash. As a rookie, he averaged a team-high 17.4 yards per catch, but this season, the Raiders are looking for him to become a more versatile and complete receiver.
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Las Vegas’ star receiver Davante Adams has taken notice of Tucker’s progress, particularly the impact of his decision to undergo eye surgery. “The first thing Tre did that was probably the smartest thing he’s ever done was get Lasik eye surgery,” Adams commented. “You can tell he’s a lot more confident catching the ball now. When you play this position, you can’t be worrying about whether you’ll catch the ball—you need to focus on making the play. You can really feel his confidence growing as he improves different aspects of his game. Watching him evolve has been impressive. He’s a very driven young player, and he’s doing everything right.”
Tucker’s hard work is paying off, as he’s now a strong contender for the third receiver spot on the Raiders, especially after getting extra reps in training camp while Adams was away due to the birth of his third child, and first son. Despite the eight-year age difference, Adams has embraced a mentorship role with Tucker, who he affectionately refers to as a “son” in a brotherly way. “I feel like I’ve got a son on the team, in the most brotherly way,” Adams said. “Going into Year 2 and going into Year 11, there’s a bit of an experience gap. I’d love nothing more than to help anybody on this team, but especially that kid.”
For Tucker, the feeling is mutual, though he views Adams more as a big brother than a father figure. “He’s like a big brother,” Tucker said with a smile. “I’ll have to get on him about that.”
Tucker deeply respects Adams as both a mentor and a role model. Their bond began to form during Tucker’s college days at Cincinnati, where he often watched videos of Adams making highlight-reel plays. When Tucker joined the Raiders, meeting Adams in person was a surreal experience. “When you get to know Tae and who he is, we kind of think the same way,” Tucker explained. “We instantly clicked. I came in as a rookie, and we value the same things. When that happens, you become really close to someone. Last year, we got close as the season went on, but this year, we’ve gotten super close.”
Now, Tucker is striving to follow in Adams’ footsteps and become a more well-rounded receiver. Last season, Tucker recorded 19 receptions for 331 yards, and with his improved vision and the guidance of Adams, he’s poised to surpass those numbers. His focus on being a complete receiver is evident in plays like the one against the Vikings, where his clear vision allowed him to secure a big catch at a crucial moment.
Reflecting on his decision to undergo Lasik, Tucker emphasized the importance of having perfect vision as a wide receiver. “When I looked at the end of my season last year, it was harder seeing things far away,” Tucker admitted. “It wasn’t crazy, but as a receiver, when you don’t have 20-20 vision, it’s very important that you do. So it’s something I looked into and something I decided to do.”
With his vision now crystal clear, Tucker is ready to take his game to the next level, confident in his ability to make the big plays when his team needs them most.
