Josh Dooley
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Brandon Inniss flew under the radar as a true freshman, but that won’t be the case in 2024
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Barbara J. Perenic/The Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Fans should not be surprised when the former five-star recruit experiences a breakout.
Every day from now until the start of the season, Land-Grant Holy Land is highlighting Ohio State football players that you should be watching this season. Check out all of our ”Player to Watch” articles to get ready for the season opener against Akron.
The Ohio State Buckeyes signed three consensus top-10 wide receivers as part of their 2023 recruiting class, adding to a room that already included established pass catchers/stars Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, and Cade Stover. On National Signing Day, when those Class of ’23 WRs officially put pen to paper, the Buckeyes also boasted quality depth pieces in Julian Fleming, Xavier Johnson, Gee Scott Jr., and Jayden Ballard, as well as Class of ’22 signees Kyion Grayes, Caleb Burton, Kaleb Brown, and Kojo Antwi – all top-100(ish) guys except for Johnson.
So heading into last season, Brian Hartline and OSU had upwards of a dozen WRs and TEs from which to choose, all of whom wanted to play and get touches. Naturally, that led to (Class of ‘23) true freshmen getting pushed further and further down the team’s depth chart... Right? Well, not exactly.
Because shortly after last year’s spring game, Burton and Brown entered the transfer portal. Then Grayes got banged up. Then Fleming. Then (eventually) Egbuka. I’m probably forgetting a detail or two, but my point is that in the blink of an eye, an opportunity presented itself, and Class of ’23 stud Carnell Tate was there to take advantage.
Tate forced his way into Ohio State’s rotation as a true freshman and totaled 18 catches for 264 yards and a touchdown, likely earning himself a starting spot or starter-type snaps this (2024) season. Which he absolutely, unequivocally deserves. But as good as Tate was last season – and damn, did he show glimpses of being special – he was not even the Buckeyes’ top-ranked WR (consensus) in that loaded 2023 class.
Finishing slightly above Tate in the 247Sports composite rankings was Brandon Inniss. The latter finished as WR5 and the No. 35 player overall, making him OSU’s only composite five-star in the class. However, unlike Tate, Inniss did not experience an immediate breakout during his freshman season.
Much of this could be attributed to Inniss’ summer enrollment. While Tate and several others joined the Buckeyes officially last January, Ohio State’s only five-star waited until June. Which is completely fine, normal, reasonable, etc. That being said, by waiting, Inniss may have unintentionally given his classmates a head start in terms of development.
But in a testament to his skill, athleticism, intelligence, and work ethic, Inniss impressively managed to suit up for and play in all but one of OSU’s games, primarily on special teams. And despite a lack of offensive snaps, he was still able to show off what makes him a Player to Watch in 2024. In fact, I would argue that it took just one snap for fans of the Scarlet and Gray to get or become excited about Inniss’ long-term potential in Columbus.
In the fourth quarter of Ohio State’s game at Purdue, Inniss lined up in the slot and ran something resembling a modified wheel route. Devin Brown, seeing that his WR had a step on the Boilermakers’ defensive back, threw a solid ball that hit Inniss about 95% in-stride. But that 5% allowed the DB to pull even and spin around in an attempt to corral the Buckeyes’ freshman wideout. But as soon as Purdue’s DB saw the front of Inniss’ jersey, the latter planted his outside foot and cut towards the middle of the field. From there it became a foot race, and the speedy Inniss was not about to get caught... One catch, 58 yards, and a tuddy. College football world, meet Brandon Inniss.
That one play is/was not necessarily indicative of what Inniss will definitely become or how his college career will ultimately go, but it was a nice little reminder of how special he can be. And I believe that Ohio State fans will see much more of the “Inniss magic” this season, now that he has a full year of experience under his belt. Because what we saw last October in West Lafayette (IN) was really just an example of a young guy using his natural athleticism to make a football play. But imagine how dangerous Inniss can or will be after spending a year plus under the tutelage of Hartline, Ryan Day, and the Buckeyes’ S&C staff.
Speaking of... Another reason that I am optimistic about Inniss’ breakout potential in 2024 is (because of) the glowing reviews given to him by both Hartline and Day, as well as several of his OSU teammates – specifically this offseason. Inniss was most recently hyped or talked up at Big Ten Media Days when Day, Egbuka, and DB Denzel Burke all mentioned the sophomore WR by name. And he (Inniss) even earned a spot on the team’s leadership committee, showing that his impact can and will be felt on and off the field.
So for a multitude of reasons, I am excited to watch and see what Inniss does in 2024. He may not be a star yet... And it’s certainly possible that he never becomes one at all... But I believe that his ceiling is just as high as any (other) player on Ohio State’s offense.
Continue reading...
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Barbara J. Perenic/The Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Fans should not be surprised when the former five-star recruit experiences a breakout.
Every day from now until the start of the season, Land-Grant Holy Land is highlighting Ohio State football players that you should be watching this season. Check out all of our ”Player to Watch” articles to get ready for the season opener against Akron.
The Ohio State Buckeyes signed three consensus top-10 wide receivers as part of their 2023 recruiting class, adding to a room that already included established pass catchers/stars Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, and Cade Stover. On National Signing Day, when those Class of ’23 WRs officially put pen to paper, the Buckeyes also boasted quality depth pieces in Julian Fleming, Xavier Johnson, Gee Scott Jr., and Jayden Ballard, as well as Class of ’22 signees Kyion Grayes, Caleb Burton, Kaleb Brown, and Kojo Antwi – all top-100(ish) guys except for Johnson.
So heading into last season, Brian Hartline and OSU had upwards of a dozen WRs and TEs from which to choose, all of whom wanted to play and get touches. Naturally, that led to (Class of ‘23) true freshmen getting pushed further and further down the team’s depth chart... Right? Well, not exactly.
Because shortly after last year’s spring game, Burton and Brown entered the transfer portal. Then Grayes got banged up. Then Fleming. Then (eventually) Egbuka. I’m probably forgetting a detail or two, but my point is that in the blink of an eye, an opportunity presented itself, and Class of ’23 stud Carnell Tate was there to take advantage.
Tate forced his way into Ohio State’s rotation as a true freshman and totaled 18 catches for 264 yards and a touchdown, likely earning himself a starting spot or starter-type snaps this (2024) season. Which he absolutely, unequivocally deserves. But as good as Tate was last season – and damn, did he show glimpses of being special – he was not even the Buckeyes’ top-ranked WR (consensus) in that loaded 2023 class.
Finishing slightly above Tate in the 247Sports composite rankings was Brandon Inniss. The latter finished as WR5 and the No. 35 player overall, making him OSU’s only composite five-star in the class. However, unlike Tate, Inniss did not experience an immediate breakout during his freshman season.
Much of this could be attributed to Inniss’ summer enrollment. While Tate and several others joined the Buckeyes officially last January, Ohio State’s only five-star waited until June. Which is completely fine, normal, reasonable, etc. That being said, by waiting, Inniss may have unintentionally given his classmates a head start in terms of development.
But in a testament to his skill, athleticism, intelligence, and work ethic, Inniss impressively managed to suit up for and play in all but one of OSU’s games, primarily on special teams. And despite a lack of offensive snaps, he was still able to show off what makes him a Player to Watch in 2024. In fact, I would argue that it took just one snap for fans of the Scarlet and Gray to get or become excited about Inniss’ long-term potential in Columbus.
In the fourth quarter of Ohio State’s game at Purdue, Inniss lined up in the slot and ran something resembling a modified wheel route. Devin Brown, seeing that his WR had a step on the Boilermakers’ defensive back, threw a solid ball that hit Inniss about 95% in-stride. But that 5% allowed the DB to pull even and spin around in an attempt to corral the Buckeyes’ freshman wideout. But as soon as Purdue’s DB saw the front of Inniss’ jersey, the latter planted his outside foot and cut towards the middle of the field. From there it became a foot race, and the speedy Inniss was not about to get caught... One catch, 58 yards, and a tuddy. College football world, meet Brandon Inniss.
That one play is/was not necessarily indicative of what Inniss will definitely become or how his college career will ultimately go, but it was a nice little reminder of how special he can be. And I believe that Ohio State fans will see much more of the “Inniss magic” this season, now that he has a full year of experience under his belt. Because what we saw last October in West Lafayette (IN) was really just an example of a young guy using his natural athleticism to make a football play. But imagine how dangerous Inniss can or will be after spending a year plus under the tutelage of Hartline, Ryan Day, and the Buckeyes’ S&C staff.
Speaking of... Another reason that I am optimistic about Inniss’ breakout potential in 2024 is (because of) the glowing reviews given to him by both Hartline and Day, as well as several of his OSU teammates – specifically this offseason. Inniss was most recently hyped or talked up at Big Ten Media Days when Day, Egbuka, and DB Denzel Burke all mentioned the sophomore WR by name. And he (Inniss) even earned a spot on the team’s leadership committee, showing that his impact can and will be felt on and off the field.
So for a multitude of reasons, I am excited to watch and see what Inniss does in 2024. He may not be a star yet... And it’s certainly possible that he never becomes one at all... But I believe that his ceiling is just as high as any (other) player on Ohio State’s offense.
Continue reading...