Ohio State football OC Brian Hartline delivers quote that will terrify rest of the country

Brian Hartline is never one to run from expectations. The veteran coach knows what kind of talent he has in the room. 

We already know Jeremiah Smith is expected to be the best in the country and receivers Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss are not far behind. Plus, there's a very exciting group of young skill players led by redshirt freshman receiver Mylan Graham, sophomore running back James Peoples and five-star true freshman pass catcher Quincy Porter.

So Hartline is just saying what we all already know about the Buckeye's offense - it could be the best in the nation.

"That's the expectation," Hartline added. "They all know that, but it's a good reminder. Where are you at...where do you want to be...are you there yet? That's what we're chasing."

Tate accepts the leadership challenge

With Emeka Egbuka in the NFL and killing it with the Bucs, it was time for a new leader in the room to step up and Tate wasted no time in being that guy. 

The junior had a breakout season in 2024 with 52 catches, 733 yards and four touchdowns. Hartline said Tate has comfortably slid into a leadership role and his work ethic has earned him the full respect of his peers. 

"Carnell kind of turned the switch on his own. He's a self-driven individual," Hartline said. "And I think he identified that when Emeka left there was going to be a potential void from a leadership standpoint, and he just grabbed it by the wings and run with it. I've been really impressed with Carnell's leadership qualities and how he's chosen to take that step."

Winning over the locker room

Harltine also had a few words about new Buckeyes starting quarterback Julian Sayin and the skills that he has shown over the offseason. It was never a question of talent for Hartline, but rather the opportunity for Sayin to step up and show the locker room that he was the guy. 

"Ultimately, the locker room always knows. Just building that camaraderie, the body of work, earning the respect of your peers and the trust of your peers...all of that," Hartline said. ""Sometimes it's just the lack of opportunities, the lack of reps to build that, so you just need time. You can't fake time."