Position: Wide Receiver
Date of Birth: October, 14, 2002 (Age 22)
Height/Weight: 6'4", 320 lbs.
40 yard dash: 4.30 sec (unofficial)
Emeka Eguka football background
Emeka Egbuka entered college football as one of the nation’s most coveted wide receiver prospects. Coming out of Steilacoom High School in Washington, he was a consensus five-star recruit and the top-ranked wide receiver in his class per 247Sports. His impressive high school career included being named the 2019 Gatorade Player of the Year in Washington after catching 83 passes for 1,607 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior. Egbuka finished his high school career with 199 receptions for nearly 4,000 yards and 61 touchdowns, while also excelling as a basketball player.
As a freshman at Ohio State, Egbuka made his biggest impact on special teams, averaging 21.2 yards per kickoff return. He saw limited action as a receiver, catching only nine passes. However, his breakout came in 2022, when he posted career highs with 74 receptions, 1,151 receiving yards (15.6 yards per catch), and 10 touchdowns. His 2023 season, unfortunately, was hindered by an ankle injury that caused him to miss three games and limited his effectiveness. He failed to record a single 100-yard game after achieving six such performances in 2022. This down year prompted him to return to Ohio State in 2024, where he rebounded with a solid campaign, recording 41 receptions for 515 yards and four touchdowns.
Strengths
Egbuka’s skill set offers several strengths that will likely translate well to the NFL. He is a polished route runner, a skill he honed under the tutelage of Brian Hartline, widely regarded as one of the best wide receiver coaches in football. Egbuka excels at breaking down his routes and displays impressive burst out of his cuts, making him a consistent separator. According to Pro Football Focus, ç His quickness and agility make him a significant threat after the catch, with 357 of his 515 receiving yards (69.3%) in 2024 coming after the catch. This ability to evade defenders enhances his value as a potential special teams contributor, particularly as a returner.
It was only a matter of time before Emeka Egbuka scored 🔥@OhioStatefb ties things up in Columbus 🙌
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 23, 2024
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Weakness
However, Egbuka’s game also comes with some concerns. His durability will be a point of scrutiny for NFL scouts. Although he performed well in 2022, his 2023 ankle injury and other minor injuries over the past few seasons could raise red flags about his long-term availability. Additionally, he tends to rely on body catches rather than fully extending for the ball, which could lead to issues with contested catches and concentration drops at the next level. Egbuka is not a particularly physical receiver, which has limited him to primarily playing in the slot, where he benefits from free releases off the line of scrimmage. His lack of strength also impacts his effectiveness as a blocker, as he struggles to sustain blocks consistently.
Draft projection
Heading into the College Football Playoffs, Egbuka is ranked as the 21st overall prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft and the fourth-best wide receiver, trailing Travis Hunter, Luther Burden III, and Tetairoa McMillan. A team like the Kansas City Chiefs could be an ideal landing spot for him. The Chiefs’ need for another reliable weapon for Patrick Mahomes, coupled with Egbuka’s precise route-running ability, aligns well with their offensive system. Egbuka’s combination of elite route running and athleticism makes him a valuable prospect, but his durability and physicality will be key factors in determining his draft stock.