Mel Kiper reveals 'first-round grade' on Emeka Egbuka following win over Notre Dame

Marvin Harrison Jr. is without a doubt the top ranked receiver for next year’s NFL draft, but fellow Ohio State wideout Emeka Egbuka is making his case for the No. 2 spot.

Egbuka caught seven passes for 96 yards on Saturday against Notre Dame, as he continues to show that he is one of the top receivers in the country.

The junior had 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns in 13 games in 2022. He already has 263 yards and three scores through four games this season. Egbuka has caught the attention of ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.

“Emeka Egbuka, what a player he is,” Kiper said Monday on ESPN’s Monday Blitz. “And if you go back to last season, in 15 of the last 17 games, he’s had a catch of over 20 yards. He’s Mr. Consistency. He’s so reliable, so smooth. He’s in the slot most of the time making clutch, third-down catches.”

Ohio State had a quarterback battle throughout fall camp and into the season as Kyle McCord and Devin Brown split No. 1 reps.

With McCord now the established starter, Kiper expects his chemistry with Egbuka to continue to improve.

“Now that Kyle McCord is settling in as that starting quarterback, his numbers should go through the roof, along with Harrison,” Kiper said of Egbuka. “You think about… when Harrison is out, he’s the guy. They’ve got two outstanding receivers.”

Kiper added that several players are competing to be the No. 2 receiver off the board in next year’s NFL draft. Emeka Egbuka certainly has a chance to end up being the guy.

“There’s really no gap at all between the second receiver in this draft after Marvin Harrison Jr., and the seventh. There’s a real battle that’s going to take place there,” Kiper said. “Emeka Egbuka is right in that mix. I have a first-round grade on him right now.”

Kyle McCord: Ohio State proved people wrong, ourselves right in Notre Dame win

Kyle McCord is clearly getting more comfortable as the Ohio State starting quarterback after leading the Buckeyes to a win over Notre Dame.

That’s good news for Emeka Egbuka and the rest of the Buckeyes receivers.

McCord shared his thoughts on Ohio State’s biggest win of the year so far following Saturday’s game. He loved the emotion from head coach Ryan Day after the win.

“I think that’s definitely the most animated I’ve ever seen him ,and rightfully so. People were taking shots at him, taking shots at the team that weren’t true,” McCord said. “I think we did a good job of just kind of staying quiet, but that was definitely fuel to the fire. I’d be lying if we said that didn’t bother us and I think we came out here and I think we proved a lot of people wrong. But the bigger thing is I think we proved ourselves right.”