Ohio State Football: Receivers prove they are ready for 2022
By Ryan Stano
The Ohio State football team put on an offensive clinic against Utah in the Rose Bowl. They did so without their two best receivers in Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. Other receivers stepped up behind them and showed that this unit won’t be slowing down in 2022.
Most of the talk surrounded Jaxon Smith-Njigba, as it should. He had a bowl-game record 347 yards on 15 catches and 3 touchdowns. No matter where the Buckeyes were on the field, he was able to get open. He was simply unstoppable, as he has been all year.
Marvin Harrison Jr. showed that he is going to be a factor next year as well. He caught 3 touchdown passes of his own. He looked as silky smooth as his father did for the Indianapolis Colts. Harrison Jr. is going to be a significant threat next season.
Emeka Egbuka may not have had the cumulative stats that the rest of the guys did, but he still made an impact. He had one of the best catches of the season down the sideline, catching it over his shoulder and tapping his toes to stay in bounds. He’s also a big kick-return threat.
The only receiver who didn’t show up as much as I thought he would against Utah is Julian Fleming. Fleming was kept under wraps most of the game. He did hurt his shoulder, so I’m sure that slowed him down a bit as well. He still has as much talent as anyone in the room though.
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Expect all four of these guys to play significant roles next season for the Ohio State football team now that Wilson and Olave are gone. The Rose Bowl showed that there won’t be any drop-off in the passing game next season. In fact, it might end up being the focal point of the offense.