Brandon Inniss is a captain for Ohio State, but he doesn't need the ball in his hands. The versatile slot receiver and return man may have a smaller role during the 2026 season, at least based on how fall camp has gone so far.
CBS Sports' Brad Crawford revealed intel that points to UTSA transfer Devin McCuin emerging as Julian Sayin's potential No. 2 target in the slot instead of Inniss.
"This fourth-year wideout might be new to the Big Ten, but McCuin is carrying himself as if he belongs in one of college football's deepest pass-catching rooms. His confidence has been impossible to miss during the early portion of fall camp, and one source told CBS Sports that McCuin could be ahead of Brandon Innis in the competition to become Ohio State's No. 2 option behind Jeremiah Smith," Crawford wrote.
"That would be a significant development for a transfer who arrived without the five-star billing that several others in the room had. McCuin was productive over three seasons at UTSA, totaling 152 receptions for 1,696 yards and 16 touchdowns. He brings experience, route-running polish and proven playmaking ability to a talented offense."
Brandon Inniss has a lot of competition at slot WR
Not only is McCuin going to offer resistance to Inniss in the slot, but fellow transfer, former LSU Tiger Kyle Parker, is also having a strong offseason and could steal targets. Parker comes to Columbus having worked with first-year Buckeyes WR coach Cortez Hankton in Baton Rouge, which should give him an edge in Arthur Smith's offense.
Inniss has plenty of competition, but McCuin and Parker aren't just any competition either. The two hold the key to Ryan Day's future relationship with the transfer portal. If they work out, Day may find value in more portal additions at the receiver position.
Luckily, the best-case scenario for McCuin and Parker is something Inniss will be able to handle. If anything, he'll help facilitate it.
Brandon Inniss is a selfless teammate
Since Inniss's days at American Heritage in Fort Lauderdale, the six-foot, 200-pound receiver has been selfless. Patrick Surtain Sr., Inniss's high school coach, sang his praises as a team-first player back when Inniss was still an Oklahoma commit.
“He’s a selfless guy. He said, 'Coach, I want to do it.' [Not] like, 'Oh, I'm going to Oklahoma. I'm the No. 1 receiver in the country. No, I'm staying at receiver.' He said, 'Coach, whatever I've got to do for the team, I'm here for.' He relished that role," Surtain said.
Inniss isn't about to make an issue about having transfers steal his thunder. Ditto if someone like Legend Bey starts returning punts. Inniss has played with stars like Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate, and Jeremiah Smith and has never asked for more. He's had plenty of chances to transfer and hasn't.
The Scarlet and Gray didn't become distinguished through having incomplete teams. Up and down the depth chart, guys like Inniss contribute to team success. Though Inniss is a top-of-the-depth-chart guy in practically every other WR room in the country, he's being the ultimate Buckeye through his sacrifice.
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