HOUSTON – Emeka Egbuka is a student of the game of football. Specifically, how to play the wide receiver position with precision.
His handiwork of sharp routes, extremely reliable hands and the ability to create space and be a constant downfield threat are impressive traits.
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And the Ohio State star is a projected first-round draft pick coming off an outstanding season for the national champions, catching 81 passes for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns in his final college season as he became the Buckeye’s all-time leader in catches.
The Texans, in need of reinforcements at wide receiver along with the offensive line, have followed up with Egbuka since meeting formally with him at the NFL scouting combine. The defending AFC South champions had a Zoom meeting with Egbuka, according to a league source. Egbuka visited the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers, per a source.
The Texans, while expected to address the offensive line in the draft early and perhaps twice next week, have met with several wide receivers, including visits with Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden, Washington State wide receiver Kyle Williams and Ole Miss wide receiver Tre Harris.
One of Egbuka’s most productive seasons was catching passes from Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud: a 74-catch, 1,151-yard, 10-touchdown season as a sophomore.
Egbuka would love to reunite with Stroud on a team that needs to bolster the receiver position with Tank Dell likely out for the season with a knee injury and Stefon Diggs heading to free agency.
“I have met with the Texans, it was a great meeting,” Egbuka said during the NFL scouting combine. “C.J. and I, obviously, I have a lot of love for the guy. Just to see what he’s doing with his faith, too, at the next level, that’s something that I’m just so proud to be able to see as a friend of his. And our relationship definitely runs deep.
“I think that you have a special connection when you’re catching passes from him and going for 1,000 yards for a super memorable season. So, playing with him was amazing times for me.”
At 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, Egbuka has drawn several comparisons to Detroit Lions Pro Bowl wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
He admires the game of several players, including former Ohio State standouts Marvin Harrison, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Terry McLaurin and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
He finished his career with 205 receptions for 2,868 yards and 24 touchdowns.
“I think whenever I do watch myself, I’m my own hardest critic,” Egbuka said. “Every time we watch film, I never tell myself good job in my head. So, I’m always critiquing myself, whether it’s run blocking, route running, my splits before the play. So it’s all a game for me. It’s all an art, and I love learning the art of receiver.
“I don’t specifically model my game after any one player. I love studying the art of receiver, the art of route running. The cerebral part of it for me is very fun. So I think ever since a young age when I first started playing receiver, I was watching one-on-ones and just route running and everything like that. My game is comprised of all the people who I’ve watched over my entire lifetime.”
Emeka Egbuka - Smooth route runner from the slot who understands leverage and tempo. Great toughness. Very high floor. pic.twitter.com/fmmWBVr6hn
— Christian (@cjfbscout) February 21, 2025
A native of DuPont, Washington and a former state Gatorade Player of the Year, Egbuka was a five-star recruit whose baseball background helps him track the football.
He enrolled early at Ohio State and played immediately and was an honorable-mention All-Big Ten Conference selection.
Known for his athleticism and ball skills, Egbuka would fit in well with several NFL teams.
The pipeline of Ohio State wide receivers to the NFL is about to continue.
“Honestly, it’s hard not to learn from those guys just being in the room all the time with them,” Egbuka said. “I was roommates with Marvin for over a year. We did absolutely everything together. So, he’s one of my closest friends. But I can’t remember a single day that we weren’t at the facility getting in extra work, whether it was film study or catching on the Jugs machine or running extra routes.
“So, we spent a lot of time together and we always challenge each other. We have a very competitive dynamic. So we’re always pushing each other and competing in everything we do, whether it’s football, video games, bowling, whatever the case may be. So, the whole room was kind of like that with just that competitive nature. So we’re always pushing each other. There’s really nice areas in my game where I can compete.”
Deeply religious and outspoken about his Christian faith, Egbuka has a lot in common with Stroud, who’s also spiritual.
“The biggest attribute I was looking to refine in my senior season was just my faith in God,” Egbuka said. “That comes first and foremost before anything on the field. That was the leading factor in me deciding to return for my senior year at Ohio State. I just spent a lot of time in prayer, and I felt like He was leading me back to Ohio State to do something bigger than football. Obviously, we were able to win the national championship, which is amazing and a dream come true for me and something I’ll never forget.
“We had some amazing moments where us players were able to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and just share our faith in Him. And we were actually experienced a bit of a revival on campus in Columbus. There was people getting baptized left and right. We were able to share our testimonies, and it was just a beautiful thing to be a part of.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
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