Ryan Day reveals key detail that shows the true character of Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka
It took a quarter for the Ohio State Buckeyes to get going in Week 4, but they ended up on the right side of a 48-14 win over Marshall in the end. After the first quarter it was tied 7-7, then Ohio State went on to outscore Marshall 41-7. The passing game, running game, and […]
It took a quarter for the Ohio State Buckeyes to get going in Week 4, but they ended up on the right side of a 48-14 win over Marshall in the end.
After the first quarter it was tied 7-7, then Ohio State went on to outscore Marshall 41-7. The passing game, running game, and the defense all had good moments on Saturday.
One player who shined on offense was senior Emeka Egbuka, who had his best game of the season so far on the short campaign. Egbuka had a 68-yard catch and run for a touchdown on his way to five catches for 117 yards. Egbuka didn’t have to come back to Columbus, but he did and one of the reasons shows a bit of who he is.
"One of the reasons Emeka Egbuka decided to come back was to help Jeremiah Smith because he saw the talent,” head coach Ryan Day said prior to the game on Big Noon Kickoff. “To me, that's what is really cool about this team right now."
Egbuka coming back to help Smith develop is exactly what you want from a leader. Smith is off to a hot start and had another long touchdown against Marshall. The star freshman is up to 281 yards and four touchdowns in three games on the season. Egbuka and Smith are undoubtedly the top two wideouts for Ohio State.
Last year did not go quite how Egbuka wanted it to and he was hampered with injuries a bit. After breaking 1,000 yards as a sophomore, Egbuka only had 515 in 10 games as a junior. Now, the senior is up to 266 yards and is sitting nicely with 19 yards a catch.
Losing Marvin Harrison Jr. was big for the Buckeyes but getting Egbuka to come back was a big relief in that loss. Adding in a talented freshman like Smith who has a chance to be one of the best college wideouts helps the cause as well. Smith having Egbuka to lean on in the room through his freshman season is something that is going to be very beneficial. Egbuka has played a lot of football in scarlet and knows what the matchup against Michigan means, as well as expectations year in and year out.
Sure, NIL and the chance to come back and play on a loaded roster that has the chance to win it all both played a part in Egbuka returning. However, Egbuka wanting to come back in part because of Smith's arrival is one of the reasons his teammates look up to him.
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