The Emeka Egbuka 40-Yard Dash Mystery: Unpacking His Pro Day Speed And 2025 NFL Draft Stock

The question of Emeka Egbuka's true straight-line speed is one of the most debated topics among NFL scouts and analysts heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. As of December 10, 2025, the Ohio State wide receiver, known for his precision route-running and high football IQ, has several conflicting 40-yard dash times floating around the internet, creating a fascinating puzzle for teams evaluating his first-round potential. The crucial detail is that Egbuka reportedly opted not to run the 40-yard dash at the official NFL Combine, leaving his Pro Day performance and prior unofficial times as the only public metrics to assess his top-end speed. This article dives deep into the various reported times, breaks down his official Pro Day results, and explains why Egbuka’s functional game speed and elite agility metrics are far more important to his draft profile than a single 40-yard dash number. His ability to succeed in the NFL hinges on his technical skill, which has drawn comparisons to some of the league's most reliable receivers.

Emeka Egbuka: The Next Star in Ohio State's Wide Receiver Pipeline

Emeka Egbuka is the latest in a dominant line of Ohio State wide receivers to enter the NFL Draft, following names like Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. His profile is one of a polished, high-floor prospect who is expected to make an immediate impact at the professional level.

Emeka Egbuka Biography & Profile

• Full Name: Emeka Egbuka
• Born: October 14, 2002
• Age: 23 (as of the 2025 NFL Draft)
• Hometown: Steilacoom, Washington (Steilacoom High School)
• College: The Ohio State University (Ohio State Buckeyes)
• Position: Wide Receiver (WR) / Kick Returner (KR)
• Height: 6 feet, 1 inch (6'1")
• Weight: 202 pounds
• Arm Length: 31 ½ inches
• Hand Size: 9 ⅝ inches
• Draft Projection: Early-to-Mid First Round (2025 NFL Draft)
• Notable Honors: Honorable Mention All-Big Ten Conference (KR)

The Conflicting Numbers: What is Emeka Egbuka's Real 40 Time?

The search for a definitive, official 40-yard dash time for Emeka Egbuka reveals a range of numbers, underscoring the ambiguity surrounding his top-end speed. The lack of a verified NFL Combine time has only fueled the speculation.

Reported and Projected 40-Yard Dash Times:

• High School/College Combine: 4.42 seconds. This time was recorded during a 247 Sports College Combine event when Egbuka was in high school.
• NFL Draft Buzz Projection: 4.30 seconds. This is the fastest projected time, suggesting a high-end speed potential.
• Pro Day/Scout Estimates: 4.43–4.48 seconds. This range is the most commonly cited by scouts following his Ohio State Pro Day, with some sources listing his time as 4.45 seconds or 4.48 seconds. Notably, the Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly clocked him at 4.43 seconds.

The consensus among most analysts is that Egbuka possesses "good" speed, consistently clearing the critical 4.5-second threshold, but he is not considered a true "burner" like a teammate such as Chris Olave (4.39 seconds). His speed is more than sufficient for the NFL, especially when combined with his other elite athletic traits.

Why Egbuka’s Agility and Jump Metrics Matter More Than Straight-Line Speed

For a wide receiver like Emeka Egbuka, who excels as a route-running technician and a reliable target over the middle, his agility and explosive jump metrics are arguably more critical to his success than his 40-yard dash time. These numbers showcase his ability to change direction quickly and win contested catches.

Official Ohio State Pro Day Athletic Testing Results:

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• Vertical Jump: 38 inches. This is an excellent number, demonstrating explosive lower-body power necessary for high-pointing the football and winning battles in the air.
• Short Shuttle (20-Yard Shuttle): 4.11–4.12 seconds. This is an elite agility score for a wide receiver. The short shuttle is a powerful indicator of a player’s quickness, ability to cut, and change direction, which is essential for route-running.
• Broad Jump: Not officially recorded (N/A).
• 3-Cone Drill: Not officially recorded (N/A).

The 4.11-second Short Shuttle time is a number that should excite any NFL team. It confirms what his game film shows: Egbuka is exceptionally fluid in his movements. This athleticism allows him to create separation at the top of his routes with subtle movements, a hallmark of a high-floor receiver.

Egbuka's Scouting Report: Route-Running and Football IQ

Emeka Egbuka’s value in the 2025 NFL Draft is not defined by his 40-yard dash, but by his exceptional technical skills. Scouts often describe him as one of the most polished and dependable wide receiver prospects in the class.

Key Scouting Strengths and Entities:

Egbuka's game is built on precision and intelligence. His route-running is considered his best trait, allowing him to run his routes with excellent tempo and pace. He consistently demonstrates a high Football IQ, doing a nice job of influencing coverage and finding open spaces on the field. His hands are reliable, and he shows physicality at the catch point. He is an ideal fit for an offense looking for a high-volume target who can excel from both the outside receiver and the slot receiver positions. While he may lack the deep speed of some peers, his burst and agility make him a threat on intermediate routes and after the catch. His proven ability to produce alongside other elite talent, such as Marvin Harrison Jr., is a testament to his consistent play. His yards per route run (YPRR) metric has been highly efficient, further solidifying his status as a safe, first-round selection. The combination of a sub-4.5-second 40-time, an explosive 38-inch Vertical Jump, and an elite Short Shuttle time gives Egbuka a strong Relative Athletic Score (RAS), confirming his status as an above-average athlete who will transition seamlessly into the professional game. The mystery of the *official* 40-yard dash is a minor footnote for a player whose talent is evident on every snap.