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Kyle McCord suggests Emeka Egbuka never 'got the credit he deserved' at Ohio State

On3 imageby:Sam Gillenwater01/31/25

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Kyle McCord, Emeka Egbuka
Rick Osentoski | Imagn Images

Kyle McCord never felt like Emeka Egbuka truly got the full flowers he was deserving of throughout his Ohio State career.

McCord believes his former Buckeyes teammate was overlooked for much of what he did for Ohio State, including becoming the program‘s all-time receiving leader, because of some of the other names that came through Columbus.

“I think just how unselfish he is is the first thing. At Ohio State, his four years there? Obviously had a great career. He’s a great player. But never really was the star receiver,” McCord told CBS Sports in an interview at the Shrine Bowl earlier this week. “Obviously being in the room with Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, Marvin, and then just this past year with Jeremiah Smith? I never felt like he got the credit that he deserved but just produced every single year.”

Egbuka finished his time as a Buckeye with 205 receptions for 2,868 yards and 24 touchdowns. The catches and yardage are the most in school history while the scores are tied for seventh. That’s even more impressive as he never finished as the team’s leading receiver while there behind those other names.

Egbuka was never the top receiver on the field for them but did everything needed from him at the position to be so in the record books at Ohio State. That’s also why he, along with his teammates, went on to end their final seasons there as national champions and why he’ll continue to have a career at the next level.

“Every time he was on the field, good things happened,” said McCord. “I think everybody can see his route running, his hands, his speed, his athleticism getting in and out of breaks. But I think the stuff that goes unnoticed? Just, his run blocking, played in the slot a bunch, had no problem going and digging out a linebacker and never complained about it either.

“Just having a guy like that who’s super talented in every aspect just being so unselfish to go and do what’s best for the team? I’m excited for his next step.”