Ohio State Football: Comparing WRs, TEs against Clemson

Justin Fields and Trevor Lawrence may get a lot of credit for Ohio State and Clemson, but when the CFP semifinal is played, the receivers and tight ends will be difference makers in deciding who wins.

The big three of Chris Olave, K.J. Hill and Binjimen Victor lead Ohio State receivers with 799, 569, and 507 yards. The three receivers have proven themselves to be dependable targets for Fields and have caught 27 of Fields’ 40 touchdown throws.

Hill is often utilized on underneath routes that can turn into big gains, while Olave is the deep threat and Victor is among the best in college football at high-pointing passes that are on a dime from Fields.

Two other main weapons in Buckeye head coach Ryan Day’s aerial assault are true freshman Garrett Wilson — 385 receiving yards and 5 TDs —  and Austin Mack — 307 yards and 3 TDs.

In the redzone, tight ends Jeremy Ruckert and Luke Farrell have combined for six touchdowns (4 for Ruckert, 2 for Farrell). The Buckeyes will have plenty of options for Fields to throw to and should give the Clemson secondary trouble throughout the game.

For Clemson, it’s a superhero and his sidekick leading the way, as leading-receiver Tee Higgins has racked up 1,082 yards and 13 TDs and is complimented by Justyn Ross, who has 742 receiving yards and 8 TDs. Higgins will be the focus for the Ohio State defense, but Shaun Wade (if healthy) will have his hands full defending Ross.

Aside from Higgins and Ross, no other receiver has over 400 receiving yards, but Amari Rodgers (380 yards, 4 TDs) and Diondre Overton (322 yards, 3 TDs) will need to be on the radar of Jeffrey Okudah, Jordan Fuller and the rest of the Buckeye secondary.

Unlike the Buckeyes, the Tigers almost exclusively use their tight ends for blocking, as the five tight ends with a reception have combined for 179 yards and zero TDs.

The Okudah-Higgins match-up will play a major role in determining who wins this game, but Ohio State will need to be able to also limit Ross, Rodgers and Overton if they hope to move on to New Orleans.