2023 tOSU Offense

[ScriptOhio]

What will the Ohio State WR depth chart look like for 2023?



OHIO STATE’S SECOND-YEAR WIDE RECEIVERS HAD QUIET FRESHMAN SEASON BUT SHOWED PROGRESS NEAR END OF FIRST YEAR

Kaleb Brown caught just one pass for five yards, while Kyion Grayes caught only one pass for two yards. Kojo Antwi did not catch any passes in his five appearances, while Caleb Burton did not play at all.

Our Lads already has Brandon Innis (true Freshman) in the 2 deep:

2024 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Depth Chart | Ourlads.com

The most respected source for NFL Draft info among NFL Fans, Media, and Scouts, plus accurate, up to date NFL Depth Charts, Practice Squads and Rosters.

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WR-X	18	Harrison Jr., Marvin RS SO	9	Ballard, Jayden RS SO
WR-Z	4	Fleming, Julian SR	00	Innis, Brandon FR
WR-SL	2	Egbuka, Emeka RS SO	10	Johnson, Xavier GR	13	Brown, Kaleb RS FR

 

[pnuts34]

What will the Ohio State WR depth chart look like for 2023?



OHIO STATE’S SECOND-YEAR WIDE RECEIVERS HAD QUIET FRESHMAN SEASON BUT SHOWED PROGRESS NEAR END OF FIRST YEAR

Kaleb Brown caught just one pass for five yards, while Kyion Grayes caught only one pass for two yards. Kojo Antwi did not catch any passes in his five appearances, while Caleb Burton did not play at all.

Our Lads already has Brandon Innis (true Freshman) in the 2 deep:

2024 Ohio State Buckeyes Football Depth Chart | Ourlads.com

The most respected source for NFL Draft info among NFL Fans, Media, and Scouts, plus accurate, up to date NFL Depth Charts, Practice Squads and Rosters.

www.ourlads.com

WR-X	18	Harrison Jr., Marvin RS SO	9	Ballard, Jayden RS SO
WR-Z	4	Fleming, Julian SR	00	Innis, Brandon FR
WR-SL	2	Egbuka, Emeka RS SO	10	Johnson, Xavier GR	13	Brown, Kaleb RS FR

At least 2 of these guys need to make major steps next or risk hardly ever playing. Not trying to sound hyperbolic, but the ’23 class brought in some BIG guns. And ‘24 is setting up to be even better than them

 

[heisman]

Really hoping to see Hartline become a Tressel/Day hybrid as a play caller. Too patient vs. impatient.

 

[RB07OSU]

At least 2 of these guys need to make major steps next or risk hardly ever playing. Not trying to sound hyperbolic, but the ’23 class brought in some BIG guns. And ‘24 is setting up to be even better than them

Not sure what played out here but if I had to guess, the staff didn't see much need for any of Burton, Antwi, Brown or Grayes to play with how stacked we were. Having watched film on all of them, I would be pretty shocked if at least half didn't turn into very good WRs. Pretty sure Hartline and the rest of the staff figured we know MH Jr is next level and Egbuka is not far behind him, so why risk throwing it to a somewhat unknown commodity in critical moments or blow a redshirt in non-critical moments.

Not saying that was the perfect approach at every moment, but that was my read anyways. With JSN headed pro and MH Jr and likely Egbuka after this season, there should be an opportunity for all the '22 guys to get some PT this year. But I totally get your point, the '23 WR class is absurd and it is going to be tough to keep those guys off the field...especially Innis and Tate probably. One of those good problems though, it'll get sorted out.

 

[pnuts34]

Not sure what played out here but if I had to guess, the staff didn't see much need for any of Burton, Antwi, Brown or Grayes to play with how stacked we were. Having watched film on all of them, I would be pretty shocked if at least half didn't turn into very good WRs. Pretty sure Hartline and the rest of the staff figured we know MH Jr is next level and Egbuka is not far behind him, so why risk throwing it to a somewhat unknown commodity in critical moments or blow a redshirt in non-critical moments.

Not saying that was the perfect approach at every moment, but that was my read anyways. With JSN headed pro and MH Jr and likely Egbuka after this season, there should be an opportunity for all the '22 guys to get some PT this year. But I totally get your point, the '23 WR class is absurd and it is going to be tough to keep those guys off the field...especially Innis and Tate probably. One of those good problems though, it'll get sorted out.

IMO, the problem that some younger WRs face is several things: not adjusting to the speed of college from HS, not adjusting to the physicality in college, adjusting to college off campus life, and then not being a capable blocker. A lot of WRs get to college and think they just have to run fast and catch the ball, and OSU is looking to make complete WRs. That's always my worry when fans tend to project true frosh getting major PT at OSU, many have never had to block more than a few plays in their HS careers.
And I'm not just referencing Inniss and Tate in '23, but Noah Rogers as well.

 

[Bestbuck36]

Not sure what played out here but if I had to guess, the staff didn't see much need for any of Burton, Antwi, Brown or Grayes to play with how stacked we were. Having watched film on all of them, I would be pretty shocked if at least half didn't turn into very good WRs. Pretty sure Hartline and the rest of the staff figured we know MH Jr is next level and Egbuka is not far behind him, so why risk throwing it to a somewhat unknown commodity in critical moments or blow a redshirt in non-critical moments.

Not saying that was the perfect approach at every moment, but that was my read anyways. With JSN headed pro and MH Jr and likely Egbuka after this season, there should be an opportunity for all the '22 guys to get some PT this year. But I totally get your point, the '23 WR class is absurd and it is going to be tough to keep those guys off the field...especially Innis and Tate probably. One of those good problems though, it'll get sorted out.

The stars are great and the skills are a must, but, there is a character that everyone of the awesome WRs have to have that get recruited here need abs that's a burning desire to work harder than anyone else. They are a literal dime a dozenin this roster and playing time is never guaranteed. I posit the guys who really want it the most from that last class will be on the Biletnikoff watch list very soon and the cycle will repeat itself. Obviously the Williams situation will occur from time to time but the majority who keep to the script will be studs once the opportunity arises. They just have to stay the course.

 

[Jaxbuck]

IMO, the problem that some younger WRs face is several things: not adjusting to the speed of college from HS, not adjusting to the physicality in college, adjusting to college off campus life, and then not being a capable blocker. A lot of WRs get to college and think they just have to run fast and catch the ball, and OSU is looking to make complete WRs. That's always my worry when fans tend to project true frosh getting major PT at OSU, many have never had to block more than a few plays in their HS careers.
And I'm not just referencing Inniss and Tate in '23, but Noah Rogers as well.

I have always thought the adjustment of blocking at the college level and also reading defenses. The WR has to read it and adjust his route the same way the QB sees it or it's a mess.

Those two things are night and day different in college than anything they see in HS where they typically just dominate with their athleticism no matter how sophisticated a scheme their HS coach runs.

 

[pnuts34]

I have always thought the adjustment of blocking at the college level and also reading defenses. The WR has to read it and adjust his route the same way the QB sees it or it's a mess.

Those two things are night and day different in college than anything they see in HS where they typically just dominate with their athleticism no matter how sophisticated a scheme their HS coach runs.

Yup!
If you read any of the strengths and weaknesses for all of the WRs, blocking is something that is listed as a weakness for all. Mainly because they’re all the primary weapons in their offenses. And I can’t blame HS coaches, if I had Brandon Inniss on my team, I wouldn’t let him block ever, because he’d be too busy torching DBs for TDs.

 

[RugbyBuck]

I wouldn't be shocked to see at least one in the portal at the end of spring.

 

[RB07OSU]

IMO, the problem that some younger WRs face is several things: not adjusting to the speed of college from HS, not adjusting to the physicality in college, adjusting to college off campus life, and then not being a capable blocker. A lot of WRs get to college and think they just have to run fast and catch the ball, and OSU is looking to make complete WRs. That's always my worry when fans tend to project true frosh getting major PT at OSU, many have never had to block more than a few plays in their HS careers.
And I'm not just referencing Inniss and Tate in '23, but Noah Rogers as well.

Yeah if you don't block as a WR here, you don't play. Come to think of it, that has been a constant from JT, to UFM, to Day (and Hartline really at the WR position). Hell, Hartline himself earned early PT for himself partially for his willingness to block if I recall correctly. It is easy to watch WRs on film excel at being great athletes, but we never watch them block anybody and that can be the missing link with wondering why a guy is not on the field.

That said, I have seen enough from Innis between his HS film and combines/AA Game performances to believe he is going to play early and often. He works hard and I believe will be eager to block and do the small things to play right away, to your point of needing to be more than a great receiver to get on the field early. It will be a fun position battle to see play out, but I don't see a scenario where Innis is not playing next year without injury or just an unexpected lack of desire. Now Tate and Rogers...great prospects, but I could easily foresee redshirt years to develop physically and in their fundamentals, particularly since we don't need them to play right away.

 

[Bestbuck36]

I wouldn't be shocked to see at least one in the portal at the end of spring.

Probably a strong likelihood. If Marv and Emeka were moving on Id say there's a better chance to keep everyone but those guys are locked in for the most plays before anything starts. That leaves what 6-7 other highly ranked WRs sitting the bench and practicing for the next year? Obviously that's rough for some guys who are otherwise all world. Unless they are homegrown Is expect it as well.

 

[kujirakira]

I just hope we keep the early 1-2 year guys, let Hartline do his thing. The ones who get on field will stay, and the ones who don't will take Hartlines coaching somewhere else and likely prosper.
With as much talent that's coming in, it's inevitable that some will go elsewhere -- and also very understandable. I just hope they stick for 2 years min and let it play out during practice and game.

 

[RB07OSU]

I just hope we keep the early 1-2 year guys, let Hartline do his thing. The ones who get on field will stay, and the ones who don't will take Hartlines coaching somewhere else and likely prosper.
With as much talent that's coming in, it's inevitable that some will go elsewhere -- and also very understandable. I just hope they stick for 2 years min and let it play out during practice and game.

Great take. Bring in the best talent and it'll sort out. Hell, you had Jameson Williams transferring to a national championship team because of playing time. That's what you call good problems right?

 

[pnuts34]

Great take. Bring in the best talent and it'll sort out. Hell, you had Jameson Williams transferring to a national championship team because of playing time. That's what you call good problems right?

OSU and Hartline have done such a good job with WRs, that a former PWO Sam Wiglusz is one of the best WRs in the MAC(led in receiving TDs and 3rd in yards)! The WR room will work itself out, but I'm sure we will see some departures

 

[ScriptOhio]

“Don't sleep on Kyle, man. That guy can sling it,” Hickman said. "I've spent a lot of time with Kyle just because sophomore year coming up. When I wasn't with the ones, I was kind of getting looks at him. But don't sleep on Kyle at all, man. That guy can put the ball where it needs to be. And he still has some great weapons. You guys know Marvin Harrison, (Emeka Egbuka), (Jayden Ballard), all those guys coming back. So I'm super excited for that offense.”
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But Cameron Brown is confident that whichever player earns the QB1 tag will enjoy great success in the Ohio State offense in the coming season.

“It's gonna be a great competition between two great quarterbacks,” Cameron Brown said. “I have no doubt in my mind that one of them two is gonna be (one of) the top quarterbacks in the country.”