Ohio State football: 3 Receivers that will give OSU Problems in 2023
The Ohio State football team is trying to improve its cornerback play in 2023. Here are three receivers that could derail that notion.
The Ohio State football team had a major weakness in 2022 with their cornerback play. Head coach Ryan Day and cornerbacks coach Tim Walton hope that another season under Walton’s tutelage will help develop the likes of Denzel Burke, Jyaire Brown, and Jordan Hancock.
Also, the addition of Ole Miss transfer Davison Igbinosun, a freshman All-American last season, should greatly improve the depth and play of the position. But with all that said, the Buckeyes will be going up against some talented receivers in 2023. Here are three that can give Ohio State problems next season.
No. 3: Keandre Lambert-Smith, Penn State
Keandre Lambert-Smith’s numbers won’t impress you from last season with 24 receptions for 389 yards and four touchdowns. But Lambert-Smith will be in line for the No. 1 receiver spot in Happy Valley following the departure of Parker Washington. Lambert-Smith did come on late last season as he had 8 catches for 207 yards and two touchdowns in his last two games of the year.
And with new quarterback and Medina, Ohio native Drew Aller throwing balls to him, Lamber-Smith should see plenty of opportunity in 2023 to make an impact.
No. 2: Keon Coleman, Michigan State
Keon Coleman is a dude. Plain and simple. He’s got excellent hands and body control with passes around the sidelines. As a freshman last season, he completely dominated the Michigan Wolverine secondary with 5 receptions for 155 yards and a score.
He finished 2022 with 56 catches for 798 yards and seven touchdowns. That’s very impressive for a freshman receiver who was on a not-so-great offense. He should only be better in 2023 so Ohio State needs to keep an eye on him when they play on November 11th.
No. 1: Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky
Malachi Corely is one of the best receivers in all of college football as PFF put him on their top 10 list of returning receivers in 2023. He had an unbelievable 2022 season registering 101 catches for 1,293 yards and 11 touchdowns.
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But what was most impressive is what Corley does with the ball in his hands after he catches it. He led the nation in that category last year with an eye-popping 975 yards after the catch. He makes people miss and he’s fast enough to blow right past them. Simply put, the Buckeyes might want to double-team this guy on September 16th in Columbus.