Ohio State Football: Wide receiving corps far ahead of one in 2014

The outlook for this year’s Ohio State receiving corp looks much better than the one in 2014, and that unit turned out to be a very good one.

The Ohio State receiver room is deeper than the one in 2014. Also, there are higher expectations for this year’s group than the one that performed so well five years ago when the Buckeyes made their run to the national title.

Let’s go back in time and look at the situation of the receiving corps prior to the 2014 season and compare it to the one now.

On the edge the Buckeyes had two solid receivers returning. Devin Smith caught 44 passes for 660 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2013. Evan Spencer had 22 receptions for 216 yards and 3 scores.

H-back Dontre Wilson was coming off a fine freshman season catching 22 passes for 210 yards and 2 touchdowns. Outside of these three players there wasn’t much experience in the receiver room.

Jalin Marshall was red-shirted in 2013 as was Michael Thomas (as a sophomore) and Curtis Samuel was just a promising true freshman.

Although there were talented players ready to make their mark, you have to admit that group didn’t strike fear in opposing defensive coordinators before the season started.

This year the Buckeyes have more proven receivers and talented young players who could break out.

Last season K.J. Hill had 70 receptions for 885 yards and 6 touchdowns. Austin Mack was having a fine season catching 26 passes for 331 yards and a score before he was injured. Binjimen Victor had 21 receptions for 354 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Talented young players and a senior will add plenty of depth to Zone 6. Let’s look at the H back situation first.

C.J. Saunders: I haven’t seen this former walk-on drop a pass yet and he runs outstanding routes. He caught 27 passes for 294 yards and a touchdown the last two seasons.

More from Ohio State Football

• Ohio State Football: How Denzel Burke has bounced back so far this season
• Ohio State Football rolling into form at the perfect time
• How Ohio State football has done historically versus new Big 12
• Ohio State Football: We need to see “Killer Ryan Day” at South Bend
• Ohio State Football vs. Notre Dame Prediction, Odds, Spread and Over/Under for College Football Week 4

Jaelen Gill: This playmaker was the No. 2 all-purpose back in the 2018 recruiting class. I can’t wait to see him in action next season.

Now for the wide receivers.

Chris Olave: At the end of last season Olave played more like a junior than a true freshman. His route running and hands are terrific.

Garrett Wilson: This No. 2 ranked wide receiver in the 2019 class has star written all over him. Enjoy watching him for three years and then on Sundays.

Jaylen Harris: Everybody has waited for this 6 ft. 5, 215 pound wide receiver to break out. This could be the year.

In 2014, Spencer remained a clutch receiver and Smith averaged 28.2 yards per reception with 12 touchdowns. Thomas came out of Urban Meyer’s doghouse and caught 54 balls for 799 yards and 9 touchdowns.

The H-backs also performed well in 2014. Wilson had 21 receptions for 300 yards before his season ending injury. Marshall caught 38 passes for 499 yards and 6 scores and Samuel added another 11 receptions for 95 yards.

But would anybody have thought with that group Ohio State would average 247 yards per game through the air before the season began?

You have to admit things look more promising entering the 2019 season than it did five years ago. There is plenty of talent and depth in the receiver room, now the players need to step up like those in 2014 did.