just in: Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka reveals senior team plan.
The junior receiver declared his intention to play for Ohio State again in 2024. Entering the 2023 season, Egbuka had generated a lot of draft buzz, with some pundits projecting that he would be selected in the first round.
In 2022, Egubka emerged as a breakout star for the Buckeyes’ offense in place of Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the slot. He hauled in 74 passes for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns, helping the Buckeyes secure a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinal.
OSU had faith that the duo of Marvin Harrison Jr. and Egubka would shatter records in 2023 en route back to a Big Ten title. Production for Egbuka, however, dipped after he suffered an ankle injury in early October that required surgery. He’d miss three games, finally returning in November to close the regular season.
Egbuka finished the season with 41 catches for 515 yards and four touchdowns. His two best games came against Notre Dame and Michigan, where he posted a combined 10 catches for 121 yards and a touchdown.
After playing the Robin role to Harrison the past two seasons, Egbuka is now expected to become Ohio State’s go-to target for the 2024 season, assuming Harrison enters the NFL draft. He’ll now be the most experienced pass-catcher in the room with Julian Fleming at Penn State.
With Egbuka back, the Buckeyes will have stability in the slot for Will Howard, the new quarterback who committed from Kansas State earlier this month. Leading a highly inexperienced group of wide receivers (including incoming five-star freshmen Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, and Brandon Inniss) into spring practice is him.
The Buckeyes, who finished 11-2 in 2023, are entering win-now mode under Ryan Day. After losing three consecutive times to Michigan, the pressure is boiling for the Buckeyes coach to secure a conference title next season, or he could be shown the door.
Even in a 12-team playoff era that could benefit a program like Ohio State, defeating Michigan has become a necessity for the coach in Columbus. The Buckeyes last won against the Wolverines in 2019 behind the arm of Justin Fields and the consistency of Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson at receiver.
The return of Egbuka and the possible return of running back TreVeyon Henderson could prime the offense for another push through the Big Ten.Through the gateway, Ohio State also added Quinshon Judkins, a two-time 1,000-yard rushing back and star at Ole Miss.