Ohio State Football: Three takeaways from Maryland win

3. It is only a matter of time before Emeka Egbuka houses one

Big plays in the special teams game can always turn around a game, especially in closely matched ones. Ohio State has found their kick returner for the year in Emeka Egbuka as he gets closer and closer to returning one for a touchdown.

Against Maryland, Egbuka had two good returns, one of which nearly went the distance.

He had a special game returning the ball with 166 yards on kickoffs, which is the second-most ever by a Buckeye. With the receiving room being so stacked, this is where Egbuka can and will make a difference in his true freshman year.

This is also setting him up to be a starter next year alongside Smith-Njigba. Egbuka is already showing his ability in the open field, he is going to be a special run after the catch receiver. If he can take one all the way in a showdown against an opponent like Penn State, that would be huge.

It feels like only a matter of time before Egbuka gives Ohio State its first kickoff return since 2010. Just within 2-3 games, the former number one receiver in the 2020 class has become an elite kickoff specialist.

The Ohio State football team’s path to the playoff is in their own hands since things are wide open right now. Conquering the Big Ten with five teams in the AP Poll’s top ten will be a challenge. However, the Buckeyes are rounding into form and should be up for the challenge.