Cortez Hankton didn't come from the LSU Tigers' WR coach position to the Ohio State Buckeyes empty-handed. Ex-Tiger Kyle Parker was one of two transfer WRs the program rolled the dice on this offseason, something OSU doesn't typically do.
As Land-Grant Holy Land's Cole VanWiechen notes, Parker has used his familiarity with Hankton as a jumping point this spring. Parker parlayed the spring to very strong predictions for his fourth year in college football, though that includes a redshirt as a freshman and a medical redshirt as a sophomore, with some even suggesting 1,000 yards is possible.
"Receivers often need a full season before becoming completely comfortable in a new offensive system. Parker enters with an advantage many transfers never receive, and reports throughout the spring suggested he quickly became one of the more noticeable newcomers on the offensive side of the ball," VanWiechen wrote.
"Parker’s experience matters a lot. Unlike many young receivers who will still be adjusting to college football, Parker will have multiple seasons in the SEC, a year inside Ohio State’s offense, and a full understanding of Hankton’s expectations."
Arthur Smith's offense could create opportunities to break through
Arthur Smith's pro-style offense isn't going to set up the entire receiving corps to constantly get targeted a handful of times per game. If anything, there will be a deep running room utilized to slow down the clock and set up targeted strikes. Smith is trying to catch defenses off guard with the pass, not run a frantic air-raid attack that sets up big play after big play downfield.
With that said, the raw talent and overwhelming number of weapons the Buckeyes possess will open the floodgates for Parker on occasion. Jeremiah Smith will be public enemy No. 1 to any opponent and should have defenses scheming to slow him down before paying attention to anything else.
Chris Henry Jr. may be able to win enough 50/50 balls to similarly keep opposing defensive play-callers up at night. If the interior offensive line overdelivers like it's expected to and opens up gaps en masse for Bo Jackson, Isaiah West, Legend Bey, and Co. to exploit, Parker's blazing speed could become the ultimate rug-pull for defenses that don't have the bandwidth to keep the slot in check.
Kyle Parker is a great unknown in many ways
Parker wasn't part of Joe Sloan's offense that ranked No. 2 in the SEC and No. 7 nationally in passing, averaging 315.2 yards per game, in 2024. He was part of the sloppy follow-up in 2025. That group was ranked No. 96 in the nation in total offense (355.5 YPG) and No. 82 in scoring (25.5 PPG). The cord was cut on Sloan midway through the season once Brian Kelly was finally let go. No wonder.
LSU didn't give Parker the chance to flourish. While the opportunities may not be plentiful in Columbus, no one could accuse OSU's brain trust of robbing any skill-position threat of the chance to shine with an NFL-caliber play-caller now running the show.
Parker has a wide range of expectations. We don't know what's closest to the truth. Finding out will be one of the fall's most intriguing plot points for Parker, Smith, Hankton, and the rest of us.
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