Ohio State football: Buckeyes need to use TE more

The Ohio State football team used the wide receivers well in 2020. In 2021, the tight ends need to be used slightly more because one of them is a real weapon.

The Ohio State football team has a plethora of great receivers on their team. Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson are primed for a huge 2021. Jameson Williams, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Julian Fleming are also supremely talented. They are going to be a big part of this offense.

That doesn’t mean that Jeremy Ruckert should get lost in the shuffle. Ruckert was the number one tight end coming out of high school. Ruckert decided to come back for his senior season in 2021. He has a chance to improve his draft stock too.

Ruckert had five touchdowns last season and was a good red-zone threat. He only had 13 catches all season, but most of those came in that red area. He really showed how valuable he is in the Sugar Bowl against Clemson when he scored two touchdowns.

Next season the Buckeyes should start using him more outside the red-zone. He is already a really good blocker in the running game. That will make him valuable at the next level. What will make him more valuable to both the NFL and Ohio State is for him to get more targets outside the red-zone.

Ruckert is the best tight end the Buckeyes have on their roster for sure. He would be a good target over the middle on play-action. Really anyway to get him involved takes the attention off the receivers and makes the offense more dangerous.

Anything that makes this Ohio State offense more dangerous is something I want to see. Ruckert is a really good weapon to have and he should be more involved all over the field.