Emeka Egbuka reflects on return to Ohio State, impact of NIL

INDIANAPOLIS – Emeka Egbuka returned to Ohio State for a final season seeking redemption.

The wide receiver played in 10 games in 2023, dealing with a left ankle sprain in the second half of the season. As a sophomore the year before, he became only the ninth 1,000-yard wideout in Ohio State football history.

If he entered the NFL draft this spring, he could have been picked in the first three rounds. But he wants to leave Columbus on his own terms, not after losing to Michigan three consecutive seasons and failing to win a national title. Those are the expectations this year.

“It just so happened that we all came together and we were all thinking the same thing,” Egbuka said this week at Big Ten media days. “That was really special to be a part of, to know that I wasn’t alone and what I was feeling.”

Emeka Egbuka mentoring underclassmen

Egbuka is one of 16 returning starters returning to Ohio State this year and one of 11 who were eligible to enter the draft. Beyond the on-field accomplishments, the receiver wanted to return for a final season to mentor the underclassmen in his position room.

Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss are poised for breakout sophomore years. Freshman Jeremiah Smith was the No. 1 recruit in the 2024 class and is expected to make an instant impact. What Egbuka can do on the field can be an example for the younger receivers.

“He can catch a handoff, run a bubble, he can block, he can run deep routes, there’s not much Emeka can’t do,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. “He can do a lot of things as a player. When I think about him as a player, it’s somebody who is strong.”

NIL allowed NFL to be put on pause

Egbuka finished with only 41 catches for 515 yards and four touchdowns last season. He’ll be working with his third quarterback in four seasons in 2024. Kansas State transfer Will Howard has emerged as the leader, but Day has yet to name a starter. The Buckeyes open training camp next week.

Returning for a final year allows the receiver to make a lasting imprint on his Ohio State resume. But the ability to still make NIL dollars is a draw, too.

Jim Nagy, the executive director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl and longtime NFL scout, told On3 in February that NIL has allowed players to make the best football decisions. For Egbuka, running it back in Columbus for a final season is important. But if all goes according to plan, his draft stock should rise and he could be a first-round pick.

“A lot of guys used to leave early, even knowing they probably weren’t going to get drafted,” Nagy said. “They felt like they needed to bet on themselves and take a shot or a difficult family circumstance. Now they don’t have to do that.”

The former five-star recruit has inked notable NIL deals with Amazon Style, EA Sports and Casey’s. He’s also worked with the Ohio State NIL collectives The Foundation and The 1870 Society. Egbuka’s $751,000 On3 NIL Valuation is in the top 25 of college football.

Asked by On3 at Big Ten media days about the role of NIL in his decision to return, Emeka Egbuka admitted some guys were more encouraged to wait on the NFL one more season because of the opportunities NIL now provides.

“I came in my freshman year, and it was kind of implemented early on,” he said. “For some of the other guys that came in and they started college right with NIL, it’s just allowed us to make money, which I don’t think is a bad thing. It had some implications as to why some of the guys decided to come back for their senior year because the NFL is always going to be there. That money is always going to be there. We’re able to make a little bit of an earning while we’re here in college, so I think it’s a bonus.”