PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Last year receiver Emeka Egbuka had a career-high 81 receptions and tied a career-high with 10 touchdowns catching passes from Will Howard. What the now Tampa Bay receiver said of his Ohio State quarterback?
Unfortunately for Howard, the two didn’t play against each other on Saturday. Howard broke a finger on his throwing hand last Tuesday during practice at St. Vincent College and isn’t even able to grip a football right now.
Even though he’s in his first NFL training camp as well with Tampa Bay, Egbuka said he talks often with Howard and believes he’s lucky to have Aaron Rodgers to learn from during his first season.
“From what I hear from Will, Aaron is pouring into him, constantly,” Egbuka said after a joint practice between the Steelers and Bucs Thursday. “Will is just a sponge. He is going to absorb everything that Aaron is giving him, all the knowledge and all the experience. He’s not going to forget it, it’s going to be borrowed knowledge, not bought.”
Howard and Egbuka had their moments last year-they connected for three touchdowns against Iowa. He had 10 receptions including a score against Oregon. Another TD at Penn State and they combined for 21 receptions, 268 yards and a score in the four playoff games.
They built that trust despite just one year together as Howard transferred to Ohio State for his final season. The quarterback left quite an impression on the first-round receiver.
“He’s is the type of guy that football is his passion and his dream,” Egbuka said. “He’s the first one in and last one to leave type of player. Great leadership. He’s going to do this for a long time and be very successful.”
We don’t know when Howard is going to be back, but we continue to hear praise of the Steelers sixth-round pick, this is from someone who has been in those tight moments with Howard. Seen him come back from a bad loss to the heated rival and win a national title.
Injury has likely taken preseason games away, but anticipation grows in what the Steelers really got.