The Ohio State Buckeyes received some welcoming news on Thursday as star WR Emeka Egbuka announced his intentions to return to Columbus for the 2024 season. Egbuka, once seen as a top-five overall prospect for the NFL Draft, will return to the Buckeyes and bolster what looks like a new and improved offense in 2024.
How high is the ceiling for the Buckeyes next fall?
Emeka Egbuka To Return to Ohio State
Announcing via Instagram, Egbuka confirmed the fact that he’ll be back with the Buckeyes with a simple “I’m Back” graphic. He followed that up with a heartfelt message to Ohio State fans.
“These last three years have come with trials and tribulations but overwhelming joy as well,” Egbuka wrote. “I am returning for my senior year at Ohio State. I’m looking forward to what this new year will behold!”
Egbuka recorded 41 receptions and 515 yards in 2023, struggling with injuries and consistency upon his return. But he was still able to flash plenty of his elite talent this past season, mirroring the success he saw as a sophomore in 2022.
For his career, Egbuka has hauled in 1,857 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging a whopping 15.0 yards per catch in three seasons with the Buckeyes.
Playing second fiddle only to Marvin Harrison Jr., Egbuka is every bit of a potential WR1 at the next level as he is on a college football field on Saturdays.
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With Harrison Jr. likely heading toward the NFL this season, Egbuka’s return to Columbus puts him clearly in the driver’s seat as the No. 1 WR for Ohio State.
At 6’1″ and 206 pounds, Egbuka has incredibly nimble feet, a full route tree, and strong hands at the catch point. He’ll anchor what has become a revolving door of future NFL receivers with some consistency amidst a new quarterback joining the fray for 2024.
Egbuka’s Ceiling With Will Howard at Quarterback
The Buckeyes usher in a new era at quarterback as Will Howard is the presumptive starting signal-caller for the 2024 season. The former Kansas State quarterback drew significant interest in the transfer portal and from the NFL before ultimately joining Ohio State.
Howard won the Big 12 with Kansas State back in 2022, defeating the TCU Horned Frogs in doing so, and has shown to be a difficult quarterback for defenses to figure out.
MORE: Will Howard Transfers to Ohio State — What It Means for the Buckeyes
However, Egbuka’s ceiling with Howard at quarterback may take some time to be fully attained. Howard’s top target within the Kansas State system was his tight end, Ben Sinnott. The KSU offense didn’t feature their receivers in a vertical fashion like the Ohio State system does, however.
When Howard did go deep to his receivers, Phillip Brooks was whom he targeted this past season. Brooks’ game is far different than Egbuka’s, but they both possess a strong yards-after-catch ability.
Howard understood the name of the game and showed plenty in terms of leading Brooks (and his other receivers) into favorable situations in that regard. Spring ball will play a large factor in just how high the ceiling will be for Egbuka with Howard as his quarterback.
Regardless, the proverbial ceiling is certainly higher than the top of Egbuka’s time with Kyle McCord at quarterback.
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