Ryan Day stresses importance of Ohio State's receiver depth behind starting four

During his time at Ohio State, Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day has continually had talented wide receivers to work with on offense. It’s a unit that, going into 2024, looks to be talented again but has some questions regarding its depth.

As Day explained during Big Ten Media Days, Ohio State has talent at wide receiver. However, it’s important for the Buckeyes to find receiver depth behind the team’s starting four.

“We’re kind of top-heavy there,” Ryan Day said. “Then, okay, where is four, five, six, and seven? Brandon Inniss. You feel Brandon Inniss when you’re out there. So, this is gonna be a great opportunity for him to do that.”

Brandon Inniss came to Ohio State as a four-star recruit in the Class of 2023, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He played in eight games as a freshman and had one catch that went for a 58-yard touchdown against Purdue.

Beyond Inniss, Jayden Ballard, Bryson Rodgers, and Kojo Antwi were all receivers Ryan Day pointed to potentially stepping up and filling roles with the Buckeyes.

“Jayden Ballard is another guy who’s been in the program a while. We need him to step up and make an impact. He is a down-the-field threat with great speed, and again this is somebody that has been in our program now. I think that’s another part of this team that we have is two, three, four, these guys have been in the program for a while now. So, there’s been a lot of built-up springs and summers and practices and development along the way. So, we need JB to step up and he’s been charged with that challenge along the way,” Day said.

“Bryson Rodgers is another guy that gives us some playmaking ability in the slot. He’s gotten bigger. He’s gotten stronger. He needs to continue to play that way because he has the ability to run routes and get open against anybody in the country in my opinion. Kojo Antwi is someone that has to step up as well.”

One of the biggest keys for Ryan Day is finding a way to replace Marvin Harrison Jr. It’s incredibly difficult to find a player that talented or productive. Still, the team has been successful finding talent in the past and is bringing in two freshmen wide receivers in the 2024 cycle.

“Then, we have some other young guys in there that have an opportunity to do that,” Day said. “So, that four, five, six, and seven is going to be critical in solidifying the wide receiver depth, but that’s gonna have to happen this preseason.”

One thing that’s clear is that Ohio State has its star wide receiver in Emeka Egbuka. He’s going to get the majority of the attention from defensive backs, opening up opportunities for the other receivers on the roster.