The Ohio State Buckeyes have too much talent along the receiving corps to give several blue-chip receivers a proper chance during the 2025 season -- a good problem to have for first-year offensive coordinator Brian Hartline, but one head football coach Ryan Day and GM Mark Pantoni might not see as a good problem during NIL renegotiations.
Cleveland.com's Stephen Means explained the conundrum, caused by the elite play of Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, and Brandon Inniss, that won't bode well for Bryson Rodgers, Mylan Graham, and Quincy Porter.
"Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss might be the nation’s best receiving corps. Behind them are Bryson Rodgers and Mylan Graham and Quincy Porter, who could be a starting trio for most Big Ten teams. But Hartline hasn’t truly rotated at receiver since 2019, making one think more than likely the top three won’t be coming off the field much," Means wrote.
Smith is oftentimes referred to as the best player in college football.
Inniss, meanwhile, was, to some, surprisingly named a team captain over Smith and Tate for his vocal leadership.
"(Sonny) Styles was a no-brainer as one of the four captains, as was (Caleb) Downs. (Austin) Siereveld was not a surprise after the growth he has shown. But wide receiver Brandon Inniss might have been an eye-opener for casual fans," The Columbus Dispatch's Bill Rabinowitz wrote.
"To those inside the program, it wasn’t. As a backup last year, Inniss earned much respect for the way he supported his teammates. He’s a more natural vocal leader for the wide receivers unit than the quieter Jeremiah Smith or Carnell Tate."
Tate, the team's No. 3 last season behind Smith and first-round NFL draft pick Emeka Egbuka, likely slides into the No. 2 role behind Smith. Inniss should expect Tate's 2024 production, assuming Julian Sayin delivers the goods under center as largely expected.
As for Rodgers, Graham, and Porter, there is no one answer to explain all of their futures. Rodgers may look to take to the Transfer Portal again, next time actually pulling the trigger on leaving Columbus. Graham and Porter have more time to figure it out. Rodgers is entering his third year in college and may want a bigger role, regardless of how, next year.