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WR Emeka Egbuka (All B1G, All-American)

I mean it when I say “I hate to be that guy” but the phrase of “extreme vital importance” seems insanely redundant when you consider the meaning of vital.

You can be "that guy" because you are correct. The phrase "extreme vital importance" reminds me of the old Animal House movie when the dean put the guys on "double secret probation". I would recommend that writer to save that descriptive redundancy for something like a COVID vaccine instead of a future recruit, even one as good as Egbuka.
 
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EGBUKA REMAINING PATIENT

As we hit the month of June and hope to get more clarity on when official visits are allowed, one of the top three highest-priority targets in Ohio State’s 2021 class, Emeka Egbuka, is “just playing the waiting game right now,” one source close to the recruitment of the nation’s No. 1-ranked receiver told Eleven Warriors.

So while there is nothing groundbreaking, or any sort of breaking news, to report here, we did get some clarification about Egbuka over the weekend.

About an hour or so after the NCAA announced that it was extending the recruiting dead period through at least July 31, I spoke with a couple sources – neither of whom had yet heard that the dead period was extended once again – to get an update on Egbuka.

Egbuka is an incredibly bright person, and his approach to the recruiting process has been no different than how he approaches the classroom, where he holds a near-4.0 GPA. He is very thorough and wants to do his due diligence in making his decision.

And here’s the obvious thing that needs to still be said – Egbuka is one of the elite prospects that can afford to wait as long as he wants before making a commitment. He’s the best in America at his position and one of the best talents in America, regardless of position. No one is going to take his spot at any of those four programs. So he is in a spot where he doesn’t have to rush to make a decision at all, and he’s not feeling rushed, able to do his homework on all four schools before coming to a conclusion.

The top-10 overall talent out of Steilacoom (Wash.) High School released his final four schools – Clemson, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Washington – a little more than two weeks ago. The narrowing of the list was done so Egbuka didn’t feel like he had to spread himself thin come the end of summer or fall – or whenever it is that we get back to normal in regards to recruiting visits being allowed again.

As of right now, Egbuka hasn’t visited Oklahoma at all, not even by himself. His dad hasn’t been to Ohio State, and his mom hasn’t been to Clemson. All three have been to Washington multiple times.

He doesn’t yet have a timetable, and even those close to him are not 100 percent sure when he will make a decision because so much of that timetable could center around when things get back to normal and when he can get out to places again. If that all gets delayed or things don’t go as planned, he will have to make a decision without visits. Personally, I’ve been given the feeling that we won’t find out until August at the earliest but perhaps not until October.

Perhaps the school that Egbuka is hoping to visit the most is Oklahoma, as the Sooners have made a major push here of late. They weren’t put on that list simply to have an extra powerhouse program as a hat on the table.

The other three programs were high on Egbuka’s list for a long time, and he had known each one would be on his final list for a while. Oklahoma, though, came on late. Egbuka had a virtual visit with Oklahoma not too long ago that made a big impact on him. I don't believe Oklahoma is the team to beat, but that visit helped give the Sooners some major momentum.

Sooners receivers coach Dennis Simmons made a lot of visits out to Steilacoom before the pandemic shut down in-person recruiting, which helped add more impact to the multiple positive Zoom meetings with the staff as a whole and the recent virtual visit. Those coaches have gotten to know Egbuka as a person over the last several months, propelling themselves to get into that group of four. Oklahoma wasn’t doing anything the other three programs haven’t been doing all along; it just did it a little later than the other three.

All four of these programs have a common denominator – a five-star quarterback who could potentially be throwing Egbuka the ball.

Oklahoma, I’ve been told by a source, is basically a lock to land five-star Caleb Williams, the No. 4-ranked overall player in America. And, to poke fun at myself, it’s not like I really need my own source to say that confidently. Just wander over to the 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions that have him as a 10 on the confidence scale to join Oklahoma. But, nonetheless, I’ve been told that directly.

Washington has a commitment from Sam Huard, the No. 1-ranked pro-style quarterback in 2021 who is Egbuka’s 7-on-7 teammate. Ohio State has a commitment from Kyle McCord, ranked No. 3 at pro-style quarterback. Clemson signed the No. 1-ranked pro-style quarterback, DJ Uiagalelei, in the 2020 class.

Quarterback has a lot of weight in Egbuka’s decision, and he is aware of Williams’ impending commitment to Oklahoma, as well as the Sooners’ receiver surge in landing spring commitments from Mario Williams (top 40 overall player) and Cody Jackson (top 100 overall player) to add to a high-powered offense.

Also impactful on Egbuka is that three of those four schools have consistently: Put teams in the College Football Playoff, put receivers in the league and have great teachers at the position.

Washington, on the other hand, is the local, hometown team that has been recruiting him the longest. Egbuka has a great relationship with Huskies receivers coach Junior Adams, who coached Steilacoom offensive coordinator Greg Herd – who has had a major helping hand in developing Egbuka – for all four of Herd’s seasons as a receiver at Eastern Washington.

Those relationships are helping bridge the gap that lies between Washington and the other three programs’ strong reputation of receiver development.

The TL;DR version of this story boils down to this: It’s only June 1, and we are still a ways away from a decision being made here, according to sources I’m confident in.

Even with all of this being said, however, this decision is going to come down solely to what Egbuka wants to do and when he wants to do it. Yes, he has been very thorough in the recruiting process, but he’s not one who particularly likes the recruiting process. It was his goal to commit before his senior season, and it’s still possible that he decides enough is enough and that he wants all of this weight off his back sooner than later.

If Egbuka is wanting to make a decision sooner than later, I believe that benefits Ohio State, which remains in a great position right now, most believing the Buckeyes are the team to beat here.

I like Ohio State’s chances of landing him, but the waiting game – like I said in the opening – still has to be played by all sides, and a commitment does not appear to be around the corner, according to the people I’ve spoken with.

Just sayin': He has the 2 numbers that you really like, i.e. 5 star and (near) 4.0 GPA.....:nod:
 
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EGBUKA PROVIDES UPDATE
As part of the most recent episode of the 247Sports Football Recruiting Podcast this week, five-star receiver Emeka Egbuka spoke with analyst Brandon Huffman about his strong relationship with Ryan Day.

When Eleven Warriors spoke with Egbuka in the fall about his relationship with Day – one that he says began with a visit from Day to Steilacoom (Wash.) High School in either December 2018 or January 2019 after his semester as a sophomore – he told us about the positive beginnings of that relationship, saying that it was growing stronger by talking with Day each week. (And his relationship with Brian Hartline was growing stronger talking with him just about every day.)

With Huffman, Egbuka reiterated some of the things he loves about both coaches, especially Day.

“I love Coach Day. He’s a really good guy,” Egbuka told Huffman. “Offensive-type mindset. Aggressive style of play, which I’m very fond of – airing out the ball and getting a lot of receivers in the mix. Even though they’re deep at receiver there, the role that they want me to play is something they don’t have a receiver for.”
 
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7 confidence CB to OU



In fact, tomorrow, five-star signal caller Caleb Williams will announce his commitment and it would be a shock if that pick wasn’t Oklahoma. In regards to Egbuka, Williams has long been vocal that he is and has been recruiting the talented wideout, which would bode well for the Sooners. While it’s Egbuka’s decision in the end, it never hurts to have class leaders and especially quarterbacks doing some work on the trail as we see Ohio State pledges doing daily.

The bigger news on Thursday in regards to Egbuka was a Crystal Ball prediction in favor of Oklahoma. While the Crystal Ball is never perfect, it is usually a telling sign of where a recruit may end up. As it stands now, eight of the 10 predictions are in favor of the Buckeyes (with one undecided), but this Oklahoma forecast certainly gave Buckeye fans something to think about.

Not to throw too much shade or to downplay this Sooners prediction, but you have to consider the source of the forecast overall. Brian Bishop, who is an Oklahoma insider, was behind this pick, and while Ohio State insiders sometimes do the same, forecasting in favor of the program you cover has been a factor for many years. In other words Buckeye faithful, don’t worry about this one — at least not yet. Bishop’s percentage of being correct is pretty low at the moment (1-of-6 all-time) which should give you a sense of ease.

It’s important to follow the Crystal Ball predictions in terms of who is submitting them. Right now, the analysts to put the most stock in are guys such as Steve Wiltfong, the Director of Recruiting for 247Sports. His prediction is of course in favor of the Buckeyes as are several other national insiders. Oklahoma is not one to scoff at, but where the Buckeyes stand right now for the top receiver in the country is solid to say the least. Of course the staff wishes they could get him on campus, but until then, Hartline and company will be doing all they can to pull Emeka to Columbus. When betting on Brian Hartline and this Ohio State staff, there is certainly reason to be confident.
 
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Don't necessarily see a lot of difference between the OU and tOSU setups. Matching great QBs, check. Good to great HCs, check. School enthusiasm, check. Good overall teams, maybe a small favor to tOSU. Good WR coaches, unsure of OU's, but Hartline 'did it' in the NFL, so favor to tOSU. Depth at WR, have to give it to OU, as tOSU is deeeeep and young. Bonding with QBs, both QBs are recruiting Egbuka, check. 'Crootin is a fickle thing. Maybe a visit to see 'Real Life Wednesdays' will make the difference, don't know. Just hope that tOSU continues to do what they are doing. Would love to see him in S&G...Go Bucks!
 
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Also don't forget no defense is played in that league, especially against the pass. And he wouldn't be sitting behind Fleming, JSN, Scott, etc. But otoh he's built some pretty strong relationships with our coaches and like you say with the recruiting class including Adeleye with who he shares a heritage on their fathers' sides. And if Jalil Farooq commits to OU as expected he will be the 3rd top 150 wr in their class, so..
 
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I think you’re also forgetting to mention a big factor for Egbuka, and that’s his career after football. I think tOSU has OU beat in that area by a long shot. Egbuka and his family have stressed academics from the start, and tOSU is probably his best choice outside of Stanford on his list. Just ask guys like Chris Fields, Anthony Gonzalez and Evan Spencer how life has been after their football careers were over
 
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I think you’re also forgetting to mention a big factor for Egbuka, and that’s his career after football. I think tOSU has OU beat in that area by a long shot. Egbuka and his family have stressed academics from the start, and tOSU is probably his best choice outside of Stanford on his list. Just ask guys like Chris Fields, Anthony Gonzalez and Evan Spencer how life has been after their football careers were over
M

Don’t want to derail but what are Gonzo and Spence doing?
 
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M

Don’t want to derail but what are Gonzo and Spence doing?

Anthony Gonzalez had career cut short in NFL, moved back to Columbus, and is now doing a fine job as a member of the House of Representatives. No matter party affiliations, every time I’ve seen him interviewed on National Shows (CNN, MSNBC, Fox) he has been very solid. He’s a great ambassador for Ohio State.

Evan Spencer started his own company and is now CEO of Project Alpha Group (based in Columbus). A venture capital firm that invests in primarily new green technology.

These guys may have been able to achieve these prestigious positions without Ohio State football......but it sure didn’t hurt.

I’d imagine these success stories are shared as part of the recruiting pitch for OSU. If NFL doesn’t work out, there truly is a great opportunity to capitalize off your degree in the Columbus area.

Dionte Johnson is another great example of this.
 
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Anthony Gonzalez had career cut short in NFL, moved back to Columbus, and is now doing a fine job as a member of the House of Representatives. No matter party affiliations, every time I’ve seen him interviewed on National Shows (CNN, MSNBC, Fox) he has been very solid. He’s a great ambassador for Ohio State.

Evan Spencer started his own company and is now CEO of Project Alpha Group (based in Columbus). A venture capital firm that invests in primarily new green technology.

These guys may have been able to achieve these prestigious positions without Ohio State football......but it sure didn’t hurt.

I’d imagine these success stories are shared as part of the recruiting pitch for OSU. If NFL doesn’t work out, there truly is a great opportunity to capitalize off your degree in the Columbus area.

Dionte Johnson is another great example of this.


But..Oklahoma has ol' JR from the WWE! and the Boz Brian Bosworth !
 
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Emeka Egbuka would not have a problem with Ohio state’s receiver’ depth at all. If he chooses another school for essentially more playing time then he will make the same mistake that Stefon diggs, tyjon Lindsay and others have. Stef got picked in the 5th round cuz Maryland blows and tyjon Lindsay died in a grease fire back in 2019.

Look I like ben victor, Austin Mack and kj hill. But all the other elite teams had us beat in the elite speed department. We had fast ish guys with mclaurin and Dixon but Buckeyes need burners at receiver and in two years wilson and olave will be gone... They need Emeka to pair with the big(and fast) guys like the freshman group this year. I’m also excited about another burner in Jameson Williams. Ohio state has also showed that a minimum of 5 guys will be deployed heavily year in and out. This guy could very well be key in putting the buckeye offense over the top in Possibly his first Season but surely his second. Welcome to Buckeye nation Mr. Egbuka
 
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