Ohio State Football has produced yet another first-round NFL Draft receiver combo with huge potential. We have seen Buckeye receivers, Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba all be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft over the last several seasons.
The Buckeyes have done it again with the receiving tandem of Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. Marvin Harrison Jr. is a 2023 Heisman Trophy finalist and is widely considered to be a generational NFL prospect. Emeka Egbuka racked up 1,151 receiving yards and 10 receiving touchdowns in 2022 and further solidified his case as a first-round pick in 2023.
Ohio State receiver Julian Fleming entered the transfer portal and will be a key loss for the Buckeyes’ offense. Fleming was expected to take a big step forward next season as the team’s top wideout but ultimately decided to transfer ahead of Ohio State’s Cotton Bowl matchup versus 9th-ranked Missouri.
Offensive coordinator Brian Hartline has done an exceptional job at landing top receiver recruits for the Buckeyes since he was hired.
Next Generation of Receivers for Ohio State Football
Next up for Ohio State is another elite group of wideouts featuring former and current elite receiver recruits. A couple of Buckeyes freshman receivers who saw some action this season were former top recruits from the class of 2023.
Carnell Tate
Carnell Tate is a former five-star recruit out of the esteemed IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. In his senior season, Tate caught 30 passes for 777 yards. He was ranked as the 3rd-best receiver recruit in the 2023 class.
Tate has a solid frame, standing at 6’2″ and weighing in at 190 pounds. His top skill is undoubtedly his effortless route-running ability.
In his freshman season at Ohio State, Tate appeared in all 12 games for the Buckeyes, catching 17 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown. Tate’s game experience will help him immensely as he progresses this offseason and looks to take that next step to become another elite receiver for Ohio State football.
Remember the name Carnell Tate when watching the Buckeyes versus Missouri and into next season.
Brandon Inniss
Brandon Inniss is another talented freshman who saw action in a crowded Buckeyes receiver room. Inniss is a former four-star recruit in the class of 2023. Inniss was just outside of the five stars, ranking fifth among receivers nationally. In his senior season at American Heritage (Plantation, FL) Inniss caught 73 passes for 1,336 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Inniss has a stout, solid build standing at 6’0″ and weighing 207 pounds. He is a sure-handed receiver with quick feet and can make any cut necessary in his route tree.
Inniss appeared in seven games as a freshman for the Buckeyes. Those seven contests saw Inniss make a highlight-reel play on a 58-yard catch for a touchdown versus Purdue.
Brandon Inniss was widely viewed as the most complete wide receiver in the 2023 class and will make a fierce duo with teammate Carnell Tate for Ohio State football next season.
Incoming Freshmen Stars for the Buckeyes
Ohio State football has been doing work in the 2024 recruiting class, ranking second nationally in class rankings. In the Buckeyes’ 2024 class is a duo of receivers who could be game-changers for their squad.
Jeremiah Smith
Jeremiah Smith has the potential to end up as the best receiver listed when it’s all said and done. Smith is ranked as the outright top recruit in the 2024 class, ranking first nationally by 247Sports. Smith is fresh off of a third straight state championship in high school for Chaminade-Madonna Prep. Smith’s senior season saw him catch 88 passes for 1,376 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Smith has a ‘Marvin Harrison Jr.-esque’ build, standing at 6’3″ and 200 pounds.
Jeremiah Smith has a little Marvin Harrison Jr. to his playstyle too. His best ability is by far his ability to high-point jump balls and bully defensive backs in contested catch situations. Smith is a quick accelerator with quick feet and excellent route-running ability.
Smith is a proven winner and will look to lead Ohio State’s receiver room from day one. Brian Hartline may have done it again with Jeremiah Smith.
Mylan Graham
Ohio State’s second five-star in the 2024 class is Indiana native Mylan Graham. Graham is ranked as the 27th recruit nationally and the 9th recruit among receivers. Graham is also the top recruit out of Indiana.
Graham is a slender 170 pounds, standing at 6’1″.
Mylan Graham is a speedy wideout with quick twitch ability in his cuts. He has a strong ability to high-point the ball, which he displayed to the tune of 566 yards and six touchdowns in just seven games his senior season.
Graham is more of a project to get to his maximum potential but his progression could go by in the blink of an eye. Expect this playmaker to be a big part of Ohio State’s offense sooner than later.
Ohio State Football Secure at Receiver
The Buckeyes may lose Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka but are in good hands with their incoming recruits.
With Brian Hartline at the helm of Ohio State football’s receiver room, any one of these guys could take that step to become the next great receiver at WRU, Ohio State.
