Kirby Smart raves about ability of Ohio State wide receivers
Talent out wide is a staple in Columbus. Whether you look at past Ohio State teams and how they go on to the pros or even their current Buckeye team, you see top-notch talent throughout that position group. Although he has a defense that can slow them down better than most in the country, Kirby Smart still isn’t taking away from the challenge that the Buckeye receivers present.
Smart broke down that position for Ohio State during his press conference on Wednesday ahead of Georgia’s meeting with them in the Peach Bowl on New Year’s Eve. He said they’re already talented but, when paired with their Heisman-level quarterback, that it reaches another level. However, he knows it’s nothing new when you’re talking about the Buckeyes.
“All those guys (are) really good receivers across the board. Very talented, probably one of the most talented groups we’ve faced,” said Smart. “When you combine it with the talent of (CJ Stroud)? It really grows because he has the ability to get the ball to them on all parts of the field. Vertically, horizontally, side-to-side.”
“Historically, Ohio State’s had great wideouts,” Smart said. “When you got to play Ohio State, you know they’re gonna have really good wideouts. When you look across the NFL, they’ve produced a lot of really good wideouts. That’s no different from what they have on their roster right now.”
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Marvin Harrison Jr. leads that pack with 72 catches for 1,157 yards and 12 touchdowns. However, Emeka Egbuka, Julian Fleming, Jayden Ballard, and Xavier Johnson have had great years too. That receiving corps has put up big-time numbers even after only getting just three games from Jaxon Smith-Njigba too, who was just listed as Mel Kiper’s No. 1 receiver in his NFL Draft rankings.
Again, Smart has the defense, specifically the secondary, to challenge these Buckeye receivers more than they have been all season. That doesn’t mean Ohio State’s receivers can’t put some pressure on them, though, considering their NFL talent outside and their connection with Stroud.