Ohio State might be getting another weapon available for the start of Big Ten play.
When the Buckeyes ended last season, they added close to 30 players from the Transfer Portal. Two of those players were receivers. Devin McCuin came in from UTSA and had a lot of hype coming from fall camp. Kyle Parker followed Cortez Hankton from LSU over to Columbus, as well.
Parker has yet to play in a game that the Ohio State Buckeyes have played. He has missed the first three games with a lower body injury. It looks like he is finally set to make his Buckeye debut against Illinois, which is the perfect time for him to take the field.
Ohio State WR Kyle Parker is probable against Illinois
According to the availability report, Parker is probable for the Big Ten opener against the Illini. He was upgraded to probable, which is good for his chances of playing the rest of the season. At this point, other receivers have stepped up and have probably passed him up on the depth chart.
Parker was supposed to come in and give the Buckeyes more depth, especially in the slot. He can really work the middle of the field. Last season with the Tigers, he had 31 catches for 330 yards and four touchdowns. Ohio State has yet to find a true second receiver who has stepped up.
This is likely Parker's only chance to become that player. After this game, the Buckeyes start the meat of the Big Ten schedule in the toughest three-game run they face this year. Three of the next four games come against ranked teams, which are Iowa, Indiana, and USC.
If the coaches are going to trust Parker in those games, he has to earn some trust against Illinois. Perhaps he can emerge as Julian Sayin's second-favorite target behind Jeremiah Smith. Ohio State should be able to throw the ball fairly well in this game.
Ohio State will likely be without two key players vs. Illinois
While Parker looks like he is going to play for the Buckeyes, Ohio State will likely be without starting right tackle Phillip Daniels. He has been downgraded to doubtful for this game. That means that Austin Siereveld will be the right tackle again, with Gabe VanSickle as the right guard.
Daniels is in danger of possibly losing the starting right tackle position if VanSickle plays well at right guard. His lack of availability has hurt his ability to give confidence to the coaches that he is the right person to start at right tackle. Of course, he still has a shot to take that job in a stranglehold.
Zion Grady has also been downgraded to doubtful. He was also injured in the Texas game after having played fairly well. He was a starting defensive end before the injury. Perhaps Ohio State will finally play Khary Wilder more, as he can move from inside to outside or vice versa.
Ohio State should be able to beat Illinois without too many problems. It would be nice to see Parker get some good work in and possibly become a threat moving forward.
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