Brian Hartline roasts Maryland wide receivers corps after bold declaration

Ohio State receivers coach Brian Hartline took issue with Jim Nagy’s take on Maryland. After the NFL scout declared on Twitter that the Terrapins might have the best receiving corps in the Big Ten, Hartline offered a one-word response.

“Nope,” he replied.

Maryland landed Florida transfer Jacob Copeland on Christmas Eve, which is what prompted Nagy’s tweet. With Rakim Jarrett and Dontay Demus also set to return to College Park, the Terps now have three receivers who gained more than 500 yards in 2021.

Starting quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa is also expected back for his junior season. With so much talent on offense, Maryland could be a dark horse candidate in the Big Ten.

The Buckeyes clearly had the best receivers in the conference — and possibly the country — this season. Three different players recorded at least 900 yards receiving, with Jaxon Smith-Njigba leading the way. If Smith-Njigba, Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson all return, it would be hard to argue against the Buckeyes receivers.

However, Olave and Wilson are potential NFL draft picks and have that option to weigh. Neither receiver has announced his decision yet, with both still planning to play in the Rose Bowl as of Sunday.

Thanks to its high-powered passing attack, Ohio State was a frontrunner to make the College Football Playoff for most of the season. However, a loss to rival Michigan knocked them out of contention. It’s possible that both Olave and Wilson will want to return for another shot at a national championship with Heisman finalist quarterback CJ Stroud.

Whatever happens, both teams are set to have talented passing attacks in 2022. As the Buckeyes receivers coach, it only seems natural that Brian Hartline would defend his team against Maryland.

Fortunately, the debate will be settled on the field next season. Ohio State is set to face Maryland on Nov. 19 in College Park.