In Week 4, the Ohio State Buckeyes shook off a slow start to dominate Marshall 48-14. After a tied first quarter at 7-7, the Buckeyes exploded, outscoring their opponent 41-7 behind a balanced attack on offense and a solid defensive effort.
One of the standout performances came from senior wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, who had his best game of the season. Egbuka electrified the crowd with a 68-yard catch-and-run touchdown and finished with five receptions for 117 yards. His decision to return to Ohio State for his senior season has been a significant boost to the team, but his reasons for coming back go beyond just winning games.
Head coach Ryan Day shared a revealing detail about Egbuka’s motivation. “One of the reasons Emeka decided to come back was to help Jeremiah Smith because he saw the talent,” Day said on Big Noon Kickoff prior to the game. “To me, that’s what is really cool about this team right now.”
Egbuka’s decision to return to Columbus wasn’t just about improving his draft stock or taking advantage of NIL opportunities. He wanted to mentor and help develop Smith, Ohio State’s star freshman receiver, who has quickly established himself as a dynamic playmaker. Smith had another stellar game against Marshall, adding a long touchdown to bring his season totals to 281 yards and four touchdowns in just three games. With Egbuka guiding him, Smith has benefitted from the leadership and experience of a seasoned wideout.
Egbuka’s selflessness and willingness to nurture younger talent exemplify the qualities of a true leader. Despite a challenging junior season in which he was hampered by injuries and saw his production drop to 515 yards after a breakout sophomore campaign with over 1,000 receiving yards, Egbuka remained focused on the team’s success. Now, as a senior, he has 266 receiving yards and is averaging an impressive 19 yards per catch. His leadership is paying off both on the field and in the locker room.
The Buckeyes suffered a major loss with the departure of Marvin Harrison Jr., but retaining Egbuka has helped ease that blow. Pairing him with the talented freshman Smith has created one of the most potent wide receiver duos in college football. Egbuka’s return has not only boosted Ohio State’s offense, but also set the stage for Smith’s rapid development into a future star.
Though NIL deals and the allure of playing for a championship-caliber team certainly influenced Egbuka’s decision to return, his desire to mentor Smith highlights his character. It’s this kind of unselfish leadership that makes Egbuka a player his teammates admire and look up to. He’s not just chasing personal success—he’s investing in the future of the Buckeyes and leaving a lasting impact on the program.
