The Hurry Up: Emeka Egbuka Talks Saturday's Visit, Hartline's Surprise Offer in January

Emeka Egbuka Shows Interest in Ohio State

Washington 2021 athlete Emeka Egbuka said his visit to Ohio State on Saturday was his “best visit to date.”

“My visit was amazing,” Egbuka said. “I really didn’t have too many expectations going in. I didn’t really know what to expect, but it really blew my mind.”

Egbuka said some of the highlights of the visit was the atmosphere surrounding Student Appreciation Day, Ohio State’ up-tempo style of practice and the ability to connect with other 2021 athletes from the West Coast and not, including California quarterback Miller Moss and California wideout Beaux Collins.

But what he enjoyed the most in his first visit to Columbus was the opportunity to begin a relationship with Ohio State wide receivers coach Brian Hartline and head coach Ryan Day.

The beginning of Ohio State’s pursuit of Egbuka began in a slightly unorthodox way. While Egbuka was at the All-American Combine in San Antonio near the beginning of January 2019, Egbuka sent his tape to Hartline and eventually got his number to give the wideouts coach a call.

“We got to chatting, and he told me the second I stepped onto campus, he would offer me,” Egbuka said. “But the more we talked, the more we really connected. He really didn’t want to wait, so he offered me a scholarship on that call.”

“Just my interest level in Ohio State,” Egbuka said about why he sent his film to Ohio State. “I don’t know much at the time, but it’s a big-name program, so I sent over my film and told them my interest level in Ohio State.”

What a weekend! Amazing time at Ohio State University, thanks to the coaching staff for making it feel like home I will be back #ZONE6 @brianhartline @ryandaytime pic.twitter.com/yQpdVJve6G

— Emeka 21 (@emeka_egbuka) March 23, 2019

The No. 2 athlete in the country, according to 247Sports, Egbuka said Hartline is one of the keys to his interest in Ohio State. The wideout recalled his conversations with Hartline and said he hasn’t talked to a wide receivers quite like him.

“Having Coach Hartline there as a wide receivers coach is really big for me,” Egbuka said. “He talks about the game like no other receivers coach I’ve talked to. I really think he can elevate my game to the next level. From here, it’s just building relationships with Coach Hartline and getting to know Coach Day more, see what he’s all about, and hopefully getting down there a couple more times before I take my officials.”

Egbuka has already looked at the calendar to schedule one of those next visits, as he hopes to visit Columbus again for the Ohio State-Penn State game on Nov, 23.

The Washington prospect plays both wide receiver and cornerback for Steilacoom High School and recorded 1,492 receiving yards on 72 catches and took 23 for touchdowns. He has totaled 116 catches for 2,300 yards and 36 touchdowns as a freshman and sophomore.

He said Hartline has had discussions with him about potentially filling the H-back-style role that former Ohio State receiver Parris Campbell will leave behind when he goes to the NFL in April.

Turner Corcoran Eliminates Buckeyes

The top player coming out of Kansas and the No. 6 offensive tackle in the 2020 class has eliminated Ohio State from his top-seven. Turner Corcoran told Eleven Warriors on Thursday that it wasn't an easy decision to come to.

"It was a really hard decision to make, but it had to be done just because I wanted to stay closer to home," Corcoran said.

Ohio State was the fifth offer Corcoran received in his recruiting process, but his visit that was planned for Ohio State's Spring Game on April 13 is now canceled. 

Corcoran had narrowed his offers list down to seven schools in August 2018, including Ohio State, Notre Dame, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Nebraska. Corcoran explained to Eleven Warriors earlier this month how he was approaching his recruiting process.

Corcoran said his recruitment has come down to Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kansas State and Kansas.

Luke Wypler to All-American Bowl

Luke Wypler, the No. 51 player in the 2020 class and an Ohio State center commit, was invited to the Adidas All-America Bowl to take place in January 2020.

/// #ThreeStripe pic.twitter.com/m5r6qUDpp5

— Wypler (@LukeWypler) March 28, 2019

Wypler is the third of Ohio State’s seven 2020 commitments to be invited to the bowl. The Buckeyes sent six to the Bowl in the 2019 class – Harry Miller, Garrett Wilson, Steele Chambers, Zach Harrison, Enokk Vimahi and Ronnie Hickman.

Buckeyes Still In It For Akinola Ogunbiyi

Texas No. 12 2020 guard Akinola Ogunbiyi has been discussed many times in The Hurry Up over the course of the last month, with him having received an offer from Ohio State while being committed to Texas A&M and him eventually de-committing in mid-March. Well, he’s back in The Hurry Up again for including Ohio State in his top-six list.

TOP6!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/GL0dQljhXR

— AKI (@AkinolaOgunbiyi) March 28, 2019

Ogunbiyi, who told Eleven Warriors he wants to visit Ohio State if he can swing the finances, has visits scheduled for LSU and Georgia and recently paid a visit to Oklahoma. His inclusion of Ohio State in this list suggests that Ogunbiyi is still trying to make his way to Columbus at some point.

Greg Crippen Commits to Notre Dame

A visit to and an offer from Ohio State was not enough to sway IMG Academy guard Greg Crippen’s interest from Notre Dame. The 2021 prospect was in Columbus for Student Appreciation Day and left with an offer but announced via Twitter on Wednesday that he has committed to Notre Dame.

God, Country, Notre Dame. Play Like a Champion Today.

COMMITTED#GoIrish#GoldRush21#IMGFam pic.twitter.com/m7S45mtF4r

— Greg CRIPPEN (@gregcrippen) March 27, 2019

It’s still very early for 2021 recruits to be committing to programs, but Crippen is Notre Dame’s second commitment from the class, making their recruiting class an early No. 6 in the nation. Ohio State’s is No. 3 with its only commitment coming from five-star Pickerington North defensive end Jack Sawyer.