Former Oregon Ducks coach admits the truth around Emeka Egbuka’s recruitment that led him to the Ohio State Buckeyes
That was a hit recruitment for the Buckeyes to win and it ended up being another first round wideout.
Brian Hartline did it again back in April, with another Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver being drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft. Emeka Egbuka went to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the No. 19 overall pick — and he already looks like a steal. Egbuka was the most pro-ready wideout in the class, and it wasn’t particularly close.
Landing Egbuka in Columbus was a big win for the Buckeyes, especially since they had to go all the way out west to get him. The former Buckeye was the No. 1 wide receiver in the class of 2021 from the state of Washington, and Ohio State had to fend off several premier programs to land him.
Former Oregon coach speaks on recruiting Emeka Egbuka
The Ducks were one of those programs that pursued Egbuka, a player who held 35 offers coming out of high school. Buccaneers wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon, who was Oregon’s wide receivers coach at the time, admitted that the Ducks didn’t really stand a chance in his recruitment.
“I would say I’m not surprised much at all,” McClendon said when asked about Egbuka’s immediate NFL success. “I had an opportunity to actually start recruiting ‘Mek when I went out to the University of Oregon, and he had kind of already made up his mind. I was trying my best to kind of wiggle us in and everything else, but obviously, you know, he made the right decision for him.
“But you knew at a very early age just how mature he was — his approach to every single day. And when you combine that maturity with as much ability as he has, that’s what’s scary. I truly think the sky’s the limit for him, and I’m excited to be a part of it. I feel like I’m blessed to be his coach.”
McClendon summed it up well. Egbuka is already mature beyond his years, and there was little doubt he would transition smoothly to the NFL with his skill set. The former Ohio State star currently ranks in the top five in the league in receiving yards with 469 and has five touchdowns through six games. Egbuka landed in an ideal situation — joining a receiver room that includes Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, along with a quarterback who loves to air it out in Baker Mayfield.
Egbuka might just be the frontrunner for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, and he’s the latest example of Ohio State’s case as “WRU.” Hartline’s ability to develop elite receivers shows no signs of slowing down either, with Carnell Tate expected to be drafted next April and Jeremiah Smith — who could be the best of them all — eligible in 2027.
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