Ohio State Buckeyes captain Brandon Inniss appears likely to fend off multiple transfers, former LSU Tiger Kyle Parker, and former UTSA Roadrunner Devin McCuin, for his starting position in the slot based on early returns from spring football practice.
Per Ohio State Buckeyes On SI's Ty Kohler, "It appears Inniss will be primarily in the slot once again, but will still be the team’s second biggest weapon. Kyle Parker and Devin McCuin will be trying to earn some targets of their own, but Inniss has the clear advantage after the first week of practice."
Inniss was named one of Ohio State's captains last August, and had 36 catches, 271 yards, and three touchdowns. As a punt returner, Inniss had 17 returns for 181 yards, with an average of 10.6 yards per return, and also had five kick returns for 66 yards, with a 13.2 average.
With freshman wunderkind Legend Bey potentially taking some special teams opportunities away in 2026, it's possible Inniss finds himself more involved with the offense. Chris Henry Jr. is the obvious pick to be WR2 for Julian Sayin, but Inniss brings the most familiarity back of any option to replace Carnell Tate's role. It'd be a sizable jump for Inniss, but if Arthur Smith's offense is a good fit, and it may be, since physicality is a virtue and Inniss fits that bill, then perhaps it's possible.
Ohio State could have lethal WR committee behind Jeremiah Smith
Perhaps Inniss's stats will go up, but won't explode. Perhaps there won't be a WR2 like Tate was last season that sits comfortably ahead of the No. 3 receiver in most counting stats. Maybe this will be a committee approach behind Jeremiah Smith in the WR rotation.
As long as Arthur Smith could score enough points to complement Matt Patricia's shutdown defense, it's not important who exactly is racking up receptions and receiving touchdowns. Only Jeremiah Smith is expected to be fed under any circumstances, since Arthur Smith sees the WR1 as his workhorse Derrick Henry-type playmaker for this coming season.