Ohio State Football: KJ Hill set to become Buckeyes’ X-Factor in 2019

The Ohio State football team lost a great deal of WR talent to the NFL from the 2018 unit. But here is why KJ Hill is set to become the Buckeyes’ X-Factor in 2019.

Just a year ago with Dwayne Haskins at the helm, the Ohio State wide receiver unit was among the best in the country. The talented bunch was led by a trio of stars Parris Campbell, Terry McLaurin and Johnnie Dixon.

Campbell offered blazing speed, McLaurin was selfless and Johnnie D was electric as he completed a fantastic comeback story from multiple injuries in years past.

Sometimes forgotten in all of the hype and stature of the big three the Buckeyes boasted in 2018 was the sure-handed WR, KJ Hill, who elected to return for his senior season after receiving the Justin Fields transfer news.

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Hill was second on the team in catches and was nearly a guarantee anytime the ball was thrown in his direction. In other words, he is a walking reception.

Knowing what the Buckeyes’ phenomenal WR room accomplished last year with Brian Hartline, KJ is the only one returning player who played consistently all season.

Now it is his time for him to become a leader, step up to the plate and fill the X-Factor void that Parris Campbell left behind following his departure to the NFL. Hill will line up alongside Binjimen Victor, Austin Mack and Chris Olave who burst into the scene against Michigan as he exploded for two touchdowns and a blocked punt.

The potential for the Ohio State receivers to maintain their previous level of success is there, but it must be attained by hard work and relentless effort. Those things start at the top with the room leadership of KJ Hill who has already begun rising to the occasion.

Hill can also catch and pass David Boston for most catches all time (191) as an Ohio State Buckeye. He is currently sixth on the list of receptions with 144.

I expect Hill to claim the top spot by late October.

The addition of Justin Fields will allow for Hill to find soft spots in coverage or avoid double teams due to Fields’ ability to run the football. Defenses will have to pick their poison in a sense when defending the Buckeyes’ offense this year which will create opportunities for the receivers to shake their defender.