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  Debate

Debate

Is Emeka Egbuka the next big thing in the NFL, or just another overhyped college star?

It’s Week 4, guys, and we are seeing a familiar theme. Ohio State Buckeyes are killing it on offense so far, and it’s the veterans doing it for the team. One of them is Emeka Egbuka. Not just any wide receiver, this guy is considered one of the highest-rising stars for the 2025 NFL Draft. Can you believe how fast he rose through the ranks? It’s crazy, but considering his grind, he’s earned it. You might think he’s been on the radar for ages, and you’d be right. By all standards, Egbuka is an athletic freak with stellar YAC, size, quality route running, and mismatch speed, all that NFL scouts fancy.

Against Marshall, he set up what could only be described as an insane talent with his 68-yard touchdown. That was a play! Egbuka received the ball, left a defender behind, and just started sprinting. He made what was just a basic reception and turned it into something great that Buckeyes fans love to see. This is the kind of stuff that NFL teams take note of, and Egbuka’s play has garnered attention from an NFC team. “I feel like he’s been on the NFL radar so long that people forget just how good he is. The YAC, size, refinement as a route runner, and speed are all there”, Jacob Infante, an NFL Draft analyst who looks at the Chicago Bears, said.

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Now in his senior year, Egbuka wants to further boost his prospects in the draft. He is a big and athletic wide receiver – his physical statistics are 6’1” and 205 pounds – and he has the tools to produce at the next level. As evident by his nine catches, 149 receiving yards, and a gaudy 16.6 yards per reception through the season’s first several weeks, he’s proving he can be a major weapon in Ohio State’s arsenal. That makes it quite obvious as to why the NFC division bigwigs are looking at him so closely.

So when Egbuka goes on to dazzle the playing field, the hype around him will only increase. NFL scouts relish an athlete who is not only capable of scoring but is also a sure-handed guy. Egbuka has that quality, and with next year’s season there for the taking, expect to see even more of the best from him.

Emeka Egbuka’s skills: what makes him stand out

Where, then, does Emeka Egbuka excel compared to other wide receivers in college football? Let’s break it down. First off, it’s his versatility. With Egbuka, you can go deep with post routes or run deep outs, or you can throw a screen and make him a big-play weapon. He is extraordinary in YAC ability, and he is a very hard player to tackle by defenders as they attempt to decide on which way to tug at his jersey.

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What’s your perspective on:

Is Emeka Egbuka the next big thing in the NFL, or just another overhyped college star?

Have an interesting take?

But it’s not just about the speed. Egbuka’s route running is polished. Well, in terms of route running, Egbuka is rather refined. He understands how to get free of defenders, a very important factor in the NFL.

For now, the numbers Egbuka put up in the 2024 regular season provide a glimpse into what he might become. He caught nine passes for 149 yards in the first two games, and he’s averaging 16.6 yards per catch. He was yet to score a touchdown this season, but that changed with his play in the first quarter against Marshall. So far, he has caught 4 passes for 111 yards, including that amazing touchdown.

Egbuka’s play on the field is just one side of his personality. The NFL teams look to add players who can maintain a healthy team culture and help grow the team rather than restricting its progress. Emeka Egbuka is their man! As highlighted by Ohio State Head Coach, Ryan Day, one reason why Egbuka returned this season rather than going for the draft is to help the team’s newbie WR talent, Jeremiah Smith. That shows his personality and how he contributes to the development of the team. Any team would love to have him, and some NFC teams can really do with a WR.

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