Report: Emeka Egbuka expected to return to lineup vs. Rutgers

Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is expected to return to the lineup against Rutgers, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

The star wide receiver missed the last two games with an ankle injury. However, he should be good to go in Piscataway.

With Egbuka back, Ohio State gets its dynamic duo paired with Marvin Harrison Jr. back to normal to challenge the Rutgers secondary.

“Source: Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka is expected to return for the Buckeyes today against Rutgers, as he’s been dealing with an ailing ankle,” Thamel wrote on Twitter. “He’s warmed up the last two weeks and not played. He’s expected to play, barring an unforeseen set-back in warm-ups.”

Lettermen Row’s Andy Backstrom reported earlier in the week Egbuka was expected to finally return to the field against Rutgers.

“We decided to hold Emeka one more week,” head coach Ryan Day said earlier this week. “He was close, but we just made the decision to hold him. I do really feel confident we’ll get him back next week, but he makes a difference.”

In five games this season, Egbuka has 22 catches for 303 yards, three touchdowns and 13.8 yards per catch. Over the course of his career, he has 105 catches, 1,645 yards, 13 touchdowns and 15.7 yards per catch.

Egbuka caught 10 touchdowns last season, helping Ohio State reach the College Football Playoff.

As a member of the Class of 2021, Egbuka was a five-star recruit out of Steilacoom (Wa.) High, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 2 overall prospect in the state, the No. 1 wide receiver in the class and the No. 15 overall prospect in the class.

Greg Schiano details defending Marvin Harrison Jr.

You thought Egbuka was difficult? Well, try defending him alongside Harrison Jr.

Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano noted how good Ohio State was, including its star wide receiver who should be in the Heisman Trophy conversation.

“Yeah, Marvin Harrison, Jr. is arguably one of the best players in the country,” Schiano said. “He’s continued to improve. You can see he’s a real professional the way he’s prepared, and again when you’re going against players of that skill, they are very dangerous.”

This season, Harrison Jr. has 48 catches, 889 yards, eight touchdowns and 18.5 yards per catch. Over the course of his career, he has 136 catches for 2,291 yards, 25 touchdowns and 16.8 yards per catch.