Steelers Met with Ohio State Star WR Prior to Pro Day
The Pittsburgh Steelers brass met with Ohio State star wide receiver Emeka Egbuka in Columbus on Tuesday night, according to Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, general manager Omar Khan and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith also met with Ohio State running backs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson and quarterback Will Howard prior to the Buckeyes’ pro day on Wednesday.
Egbuka also had a formal interview with the Steelers at the NFL Combine. The meeting was run by Tomlin.
Egbuka was heavily linked to the Steelers prior to the blockbuster trade for DK Metcalf. He could still be in consideration if the Steelers decide to trade George Pickens, however.
Egbuka turned heads at his pro day, running a blazing-fast 4.48 40 time, according to Dane Brugler of The Athletic. He also posted a 38-inch vertical.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound wide receiver showcased his reliable hands with just a 2.8 percent drop rate in 2024. He also recorded a career-high 81 catches for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior on Ohio State’s national championship-winning team.
Egbuka could prove to be exactly what the Steelers have been missing on offense, drawing comparisons to Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, a two-time first-team All-Pro.
If Egbuka turns out to be anything like St. Brown, who has amassed 430 catches for 4,851 yards and 33 touchdowns through the first four years of his NFL career, the Steelers would be lucky to land him at No. 21 overall.
Egbuka is the Buckeyes’ all-time leading receiver in the categories of receptions (205) and receiving yards (2,868). He accomplished those figures despite sharing the field with first-round picks Marvin Harrison Jr. (4th overall in 2024), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (20th in 2023), Chris Olave (11th in 2022), and Garrett Wilson (10th in 2022). This season, Egbuka played alongside freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith, who figures to be highly sought after when he’s eligible to be drafted.
The Steelers haven’t selected a wide receiver in the first round since 2006, and it was Steelers legend Santonio Holmes.
The Steelers have selected three Ohio State players in the first round over the last 20 years — Holmes, Cam Heyward and Ryan Shazier.
Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Columbus.