By: John Toth · 7mo
Photo: MSN
The 2024 college football season is right around the corner, so you know what that means? The 2025 NFL draft is coming soon, as well. Draft Nation is here to guide you through the prospects and how they can help NFL teams.
Here is a three pack of Ohio State prospects to pay attention to this season.
Emeka Egbuka is an aggressive route runner who is very competitive fighting for combat catches regularly. He’s a smooth route runner with excellent cutting ability that puts pressure on defensive backs trying to cover him one-on-one. Once Egbuka makes a catch, he has the ability to break tackles and puts up excellent yards after the catch.
Egbuka has near-elite speed and was timed at 4.42 at the All-American Combine in 2019 and could end up being the fastest wide receiver in the 2025 class. He has an explosive first step and can swiftly get behind a defense to make big plays.
With his route running as effortless and as smooth as it is, Egbuka is a three-level threat on his routes. He is a willing run blocker and can really help a running game out with his competitive drive.
Egbuka brings a lot to the table and if there is a slight downfall with his game, it is with his drops. Egbuka seems to lose concentration at times and drop the easy pass on occasion. He struggles at times on the 50/50 balls down the sideline and has put up better numbers as a slot receiver over being spread out wide.
Emeka Egbuka is the No. 1 receiver at Ohio State. After years of playing second fiddle to Marvin Harrison, Jr. and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Egbuka gets to show the football world what he can do as the main target. Draft Nation believes it will be enough to be a first round talent.
TreVeyon Henderson has a good burst to go along with good lateral movement, sidestepping opponents and picking up extra yardage. Henderson very rarely gets pulled down behind the line of scrimmage. He has good vision which helps him to find cut back lanes and create big plays. He’s got good contact balance and footwork which allows him to be patient before planting his foot and bursting through the hole.
He has above average speed which allows him to outrun angles, and he keeps his pads low, always falling forward. He finishes his runs violently and never quits moving his legs. Henderson is a weapon in the passing game, too, excelling out in the open field, and is a natural pass catcher.
Henderson does not add anything to pass protection. He looks uncomfortable at times, trying to cut block, and seems disinterested in stepping up and hitting a defender. In the passing game, he has good speed, but does not separate in the open field from defenders. Lastly, the foot problems from last year could be a red flag to some teams, so next season will be crucial to show them that everything is ok.
Second-round pick
Jackson has a feel for straight ahead blocking and understands the techniques involved in combo blocking. He gets to the second level of the defense fluidly and is a guard who excels in pulling. He has aggressive hands and is agile, playing with a wide base and uses his reach to his advantage.
Jackson has an initial explosion that creates a strong point of attack. He uses his legs well to drive and make up for his lack of upper body strength. He understands his assignments and knows when to give protection to a teammate during a blitz.
On the downside Jackson is a much better run blocker than he is a pass blocker. He struggles at times with bullrushes and his first step is better forward than backwards. He lacks the elite upper body strength you expect from a first round pick and he has issues with his balance against stronger opponents. His mechanics on his footwork will need some work and pass blocking technique will need to be refined.
Third-round pick
Marc Dykton3d
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