Ohio State Football: Brian Hartline knows NE Ohio receivers are special

Ohio State coach Brian Hartline knows wide receiver recruits from NE Ohio can turn out to be excellent ones. He was one and played with others.

It shouldn’t have come as a surprise to anyone when Jayden Ballard decided to join the 2021 Ohio State recruiting class. Coach Brian Hartline wasn’t going to let a talented receiver from Northeast Ohio slip away.

He was a wide receiver from that part of the state and a few of his teammates were as well.

When Hartline was a redshirt freshman during the 2006 season the Buckeyes played for the BCS Championship and the receiving corps was loaded with receivers who played their high school ball in Northeast Ohio. And they were an impressive bunch.

Just take a look that WR unit.

Ted Ginn Jr, Cleveland Glenville:  The speedster was the top rated corner in the 2004 recruiting class but was a star receiver and kick returner for the Buckeyes. In his three years at Ohio State he had 135 receptions for 1,943 yards and 15 touchdowns, and he is still giving defensive backs fits in the NFL.

Anthony Gonzalez, Cleveland St. Ignatius:  Gonzo had 87 receptions for 1,286 yards and 13 touchdowns during his three seasons for the Buckeyes, capped off by 51 catches for 734 yards and 6 scores in 2006.

He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round in the 2007 NFL Draft. Gonzalez performed well his first two seasons but injuries shortened his promising career.

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Brian Robiske, Chagrin Falls High School:  This go to guy caught 127 passes for 1,866 yards and 24 touchdowns during his Ohio State career. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the second round and played in the NFL for seven seasons.

Now a look at the Ohio State receivers coach.

Brian Hartline, GlenOak High School:  During his time at Ohio State Hartline had 90 receptions for 1,429 yards and 12 touchdowns. After averaging 22.8 yards per catch his junior season he decided to turn pro and that turned out to be a good decision.

He had a fine seven-year career in the NFL catching 344 passes for 1,466 yards and 14 touchdowns.

So now you know why coach Hartline pushed hard for Jayden Ballard. Not only because he is the No. 22 ranked wide receiver in the 2021 recruiting class but he plays his high school football in Massillon.

The Buckeyes’ receivers coach certainly knows the brand of football played in that area well, and also understands receivers tend to become really good ones at the next level.