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Scarlet Sunrise: Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson make NFL history

IMG_7408by:Andy Backstrom•01/09/23•

andybackstrom

Chris Olave by Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Former Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave joined his old teammate and fellow rookie Garrett Wilson in eclipsing the 1,000-yard receiving mark. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Good morning, Ohio State fans, and welcome to the Scarlet Sunrise. Football will always be our focus, but every day we’ll cover news, notes and analysis from across Buckeyes sports. Join us each morning to get caught up on everything you missed in the world of Buckeyes football, recruiting, basketball and more in Scarlet Sunrise.

Former Buckeyes receivers Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson make NFL history

Chris Olave was the 11th overall pick by the New Orleans Saints in last year’s NFL Draft. Garrett Wilson went 10th to the New York Jets. The former Ohio State wide receivers have been talked about in tandem for years now, and they made their alma mater proud over the weekend. Olave and Wilson became the first duo from the same school to both eclipse the 1,000-yard receiving mark as rookies in the NFL.

Wilson came into the regular season finale having already reached the milestone despite the drama surrounding the quarterback position in New York. Olave, on the other hand, still had a bit of work to do Sunday. He got over the hump with a 25-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter.

Here’s a look at their final stats for the 2022 season:

  • Olave: 72 receptions, 1,042 yards, 14.5 yards/reception, 4 touchdowns
  • Wilson: 83 receptions, 1,103 yards, 13.3 yards/reception, 4 touchdowns

It’s no secret that Ohio State is loaded at wide receiver. ESPN NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller just ranked Jaxon Smith-Njigba as his top wideout in the 2023 class. The Buckeyes had a pair of 1,000-yard receivers this year in Biletnikoff Award finalist Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka.

Plus, Ohio State just reeled in four wide receiver signees this cycle, two of whom showed out in the All-American Bowl over the weekend.

What Miyan Williams return means for tailback room, Buckeyes offense

Ohio State running back Miyan Williams announced Thursday that he’s returning for the 2023 season, which will be his fourth year with the program. The former four-star prospect from Winton Woods led the Buckeyes with 825 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground this season. He did that while averaging an impressive 6.4 yards per carry amid an injury-riddled campaign.

Williams missed the Michigan State game with a knee injury, left the Penn State matchup early with a hand injury and then was out 1.5 games with an apparent lower-leg injury he suffered in the first half against Indiana before rushing just eight times versus Michigan.

Then, the week of the Peach Bowl, Williams missed practice time because of illness. He recorded only three carries in the College Football Playoff semifinal, but one of them went for a touchdown.

Lettermen Row broke down what Williams’ return means for Ohio State’s offense and an experienced running back room.

Shorthanded Ohio State hoops outworked by Maryland on the road

The Buckeyes dropped back-to-back games for the first time this season with a 80-73 loss at Maryland Sunday afternoon. They were without center Zed Key, who suffered a left shoulder sprain against Purdue on Thursday.

No. 24 Ohio State entered the weekend ranked first nationally in KenPom adjusted offensive efficiency yet went five-and-a-half minutes without a point to start the second half against the Terrapins. During that span, Maryland orchestrated a 14-0 run that transformed a five-point Terps halftime deficit into a nine-point second-half lead that ballooned as large as 14 points in the final frame.

Following the blueprint constructed by North Carolina and Purdue, Maryland turned to a full-court press that forced Ohio State deep into the shot clock and caused a handful of turnovers.

Because of some great shot making — led by Brice Sensabaugh and Justice Sueing — the Buckeyes found themselves back in the game late, but they never got closer than three points of the Terps down the stretch.

READ: Shorthanded Ohio State outworked by Maryland on the road

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Indiana: 236 days

Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 320 days

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