Emeka Egbuka WR Ohio State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Emeka Egbuka WR Ohio State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
ROLE: Slot Receiver | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Updated: 10/02/2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 time: 4.30 seconds (97%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Age: 22.0 DOB: 10/14/2002 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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ROLE: Slot Receiver | |
Last Updated: 10/02/2024 | |
Draft Year: 2025 | |
40 time: 4.30 seconds (97%*) | |
Age: 22.0 DOB: 10/14/2002 | |
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Overall Rating: | 88.1 / 100 | |
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Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
Defense Rating: |
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76% |
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
QB Rating When targeted: | 122.3 | |
Hands: |
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80% |
Short Receiving: |
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88% |
Intermediate Routes: |
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94% |
Deep Threat: |
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84% |
Blocking: |
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61% |
DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Mid
Overall Rank:
#12
Position rank:
#2
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College Games: 35 College Snaps: 1440 | ||
College Combine Results
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Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
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Brian Thomas Jr. - LSU |
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77% |
Jameson Williams - Alabama |
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76% |
Ricky Pearsall - Florida |
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75% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Emeka Egbuka, the Ohio State standout, has been a force in the Buckeyes' receiving corps since his freshman year. A former five-star recruit and Washington's 2019 Gatorade Player of the Year, Egbuka's journey to Columbus was marked by high expectations. He didn't disappoint, making an immediate impact as a freshman with his kickoff return prowess, earning Freshman All-America honors from Pro Football Focus.Egbuka's sophomore campaign solidified his status as a premier receiver. He racked up 1,151 yards on 74 receptions with 10 touchdowns, finishing ninth nationally in receiving yards. His ability to create explosive plays was evident, with 19 catches of 20-plus yards. Despite battling through an injury that sidelined him for three games in 2023, Egbuka still managed 515 yards and four touchdowns on 41 catches, earning third-team All-Big Ten honors.
Off the field, Egbuka has proven to be more than just an athlete. He's a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and a three-time OSU Scholar-Athlete who graduated with a degree in marketing. His combination of on-field production and academic excellence makes him a well-rounded prospect entering the draft.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Explosive athlete with a blazing 4.30 40-yard dash time (97th percentile), providing legitimate deep threat potential
- Quick-twitch athlete with sharp plant steps, creating consistent separation at the breakpoint in man coverage
- High football IQ evident in his ability to find soft spots against zone defenses and leverage defender's positioning
- Excels in the short and intermediate areas, particularly on crossers, digs, and option routes
- Reliable hands with a catch percentage over 80%, making him a dependable target in crucial situations
- Versatile route runner who can work effectively from both the slot and outside positions
- Impressive run-after-catch ability, combining good contact balance with elusiveness in the open field
- Productive performer in big games, averaging 76.25 yards per game against ranked opponents
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Despite his timed speed, hasn't consistently shown the ability to take the top off defenses in game situations
- Battled through injury in 2023, raising potential durability concerns that NFL teams will need to thoroughly evaluate
- Could improve in high-pointing passes on the perimeter, particularly in contested catch situations
- While productive, hasn't displayed dominant game-breaking performances expected of a top-tier prospect
- Run blocking technique and effectiveness need refinement to become a more complete receiver at the next level
Scouting Report: Summary
Egbuka projects as a high-ceiling prospect with the potential to make an immediate impact in the right system. His elite speed, combined with polished route-running savvy and reliability in the short to intermediate areas, makes him a versatile threat capable of stretching the field vertically while also excelling in West Coast or timing-based offensive schemes. His 4.30 40-yard dash time suggests he has the raw speed to be a deep threat at the next level, adding another dimension to his already impressive skill set.In the NFL, Egbuka could thrive as a dynamic Z receiver or a big-play slot, drawing comparisons to players like Chris Godwin or Keenan Allen. His ability to quickly process defenses, find open zones, and now with his proven top-end speed, he presents a constant threat to defenses at all levels of the field. Teams will value his versatility, allowing for creative usage in various offensive packages.
Egbuka's combination of elite speed, reliable hands, and proven production against top competition make him a potential late first-round prospect. His well-rounded skill set, including special teams experience and high character indicated by his academic achievements, suggests a player who could quickly earn a significant role and potentially develop into a team's primary receiving threat.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (Big Ten)
Emeka Egbuka percentiles vs other Wide Receivers (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Emeka Egbuka (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
23.6
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
3.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.