While Emeka Egbuka wants to cap his Ohio State Buckeyes career with a national championship, two program records also look in reach. The senior receiver can etch his name among program immortals on Monday night.
Emeka Egbuka Has Ohio State Receiving Records In Sight
Ohio State senior wide receiver Egbuka seemingly never received his due respect. With sixty minutes remaining in his career, the Buckeyes pass catcher looks to win a championship with Ohio State and carve his name into the record books. With 95 receiving yards and three catches, he will sit atop the program record books.
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Right now, K.J. Hill (2016-2019) lays claim to the most receptions by a Buckeye with 201. Michael Jenkins (2001-2003) leads with 2,898 yards. Neither the number of catches nor yards needed looks daunting. In fact, if Ohio State comes out throwing, Egbuka could see these marks fall before the fourth quarter.
DuPont to Columbus, the Story of Egbuka’s Under-the-Rader Career
Few people can truly locate Egbuka’s hometown of Steilacoom, Washington, on a map. Tucked in Pierce County, the former five-star recruit plied his trade in small-town western Washington.
The future Buckeye not only played his way out of the area but somehow escaped the grasp of the University of Washington, roughly one hour from the campus. On top of that, he grew up as an Oregon Ducks fan.
Yet, somehow, the two most dominant football programs in the Pacific Northwest allowed one of the better wide receiver prospects to travel down the pike in years heads to the Midwest. That could rank as one of the joint mistakes by both schools. When a five-star recruit leaves an area not known for elite talent, it does not go unnoticed.
If you ask a football fan or media member about recent great Ohio State wideouts, few will name Egbuka as the best. He arrived in Columbus at the absolute worst possible time to stand out as a wideout. Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Marvin Harrison Jr. stood in his way.
Yet, Egbuka bided his time as a freshman before breaking out a 1,151-yard, 10-touchdown season as a sophomore in 2022. Still, he flew under the radar. Playing behind four players who would eventually become first-round draft picks at your position doesn’t leave much room.
Last year, with just Harrison, Egbuka suffered his worst statistical season with 41 catches and 515 yards. Injuries robbed him of a few games, and he never built any momentum.
In 2024, with the thought of the Buckeyes finally being his team, super-freshman Jeremiah Smith stole the show with 71 catches and 14 touchdowns. Once again, Egbuka played the second fiddle.
Yet, within that, you could see true leadership. Instead of jumping in the portal or whining about his lack of shine, Egbuka stayed and worked hard. He enters tonight’s game with a chance to win a national championship.
If he does, that eclipses much of what his quartet of former teammates accomplished in school. Egbuka waited, and truthfully, the timing actually played out better than expected.
With excellent speed and agility, Egbuka will captivate NFL scouts, and he could have turned pro much sooner. However, deep within, his determination and drive kept him a Buckeye. A four-year span of dedicated seasons leads him to not only breaking records at Ohio State but graduating as a winner.
Few athletes receive the chance to close a chapter in their career with a handful of school records and a national title in their final collegiate appearance. Egbuka may never have become the one on offense. Yet, compiling program-leading stats speaks to a combination of talent and character.
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