Josh Dooley
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Once on his way out of Ohio State, Bryson Rodgers could be a surprise contributor in 2024
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
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Rodgers entered the transfer portal just days after OSU’s loss in the Cotton Bowl, before ultimately deciding to return to Columbus.
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.
Bryson Rodgers was a four-star wide receiver prospect in the 2023 recruiting class and a coveted player by many, including Ohio State wide receivers coach and supreme talent evaluator Brian Hartline. The latter has essentially earned his pick of the litter when it comes to high school WRs and specifically targeted Rodgers to round out (or square out, get it?) a group of four WRs signed as part of OSU’s fourth-ranked class.
Unfortunately for Rodgers – at the time, not necessarily long-term – his commitment to Ohio State was somewhat overshadowed by commitments (also to OSU) from Brandon Inniss, Carnell Tate, and Noah Rogers, all consensus top-10 WRs in the same class. So despite being a top-40ish WR himself, Rodgers was by far the lowest-ranked player at his position to sign with the Buckeyes.
Then, and not so surprisingly, Rodgers failed to have or make much of an impact during his freshman season... That is to say nothing of his talent. Meaningful reps for true freshmen are few and far between at Ohio State, even more so at the oft-loaded WR position. However, this was likely of little to no comfort for Rodgers. Evidenced (partially or possibly) by his decision to enter the portal almost immediately after the Buckeyes’ disastrous Cotton Bowl performance.
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But after a few weeks of testing the portal waters, Rodgers decided to reaffirm his commitment to OSU by withdrawing his name from the portal on January 13. He cited his faith, family, and conversations with both Hartline and Ryan Day as reasons for his return, as well as a newfound clarity regarding his role and path to playing time in Columbus. Now seven months removed from considering and/or exploring a transfer, Rodgers finds himself firmly in the mix for playing time as part of a revamped Ohio State WR group.
Now, does that mean Rodgers should be expected (or expecting) to play a significant role week in and week out? Probably not. Not right now, at least. Because Emeka Egbuka, Jeremiah Smith, and both Tate and Inniss – from Rodgers’ class – seem like virtual locks to begin the 2024 season as starters or co-starters for the Buckeyes. But after that, the competition for WR snaps appears to be wide-open. And there’s reason to believe that Rodgers could earn a small yet consistent role sooner rather than later.
At 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, Rodgers might not fit the profile of a prototypical slot option... And yet, that is exactly where Hartline says the latter is pushing for playing time. However, if Rodgers can flex or work outside, I believe that he would see even more opportunities. Because Egbuka will rarely leave the field when healthy, and he is a slot superstar. When he (Egbuka) does move outside or needs a breather, Inniss is the presumed understudy/stand-in. But what about the depth behind Tate and Smith? Those reps seem to be up grabs, with no clear frontrunner (s).
Jayden Ballard is probably the only other WR (besides the “core four”) with a claim to any playing time at all, except we’re now in Year 4 of the Ballard Experience and have very little to show for it. I’m still holding out hope for the Massillon product, but it’s possible that Rodgers only has to beat out one guy (Ballard) in order to see the field for OSU. This season. If and when he does, I think he has the talent to do some things.
Coming out of high school, Rodgers was recognized for his YAC skills. And if Ohio State’s offense is as potent as most expect it to be, there should be plenty of open space in which he can show off said skills. But first, Rodgers must prove that he can separate despite possessing a leaner, thinner frame. Of course, the same could have been said for Carnell Tate, and look at him now.
I don’t mean to suggest that Rodgers can or will challenge Tate for a role and/or playing time, however, I do think that the former could quickly become the latter’s understudy if given every opportunity. That certainly makes more sense to yours truly than developing Rodgers as a slot option. Especially with guys like Kojo Antwi and Mylan Graham also on the Buckeyes’ roster.
Of course, all of this conjecture means nothing if Rodgers is not fully invested and ready/willing to earn reps. But by returning to Ohio State, instead of looking for a quick/easy way out, I believe that he has already proven his willingness and desire to succeed as a Buckeye. And for that reason, Rodgers will be a player to watch in 2024.
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
Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images
Rodgers entered the transfer portal just days after OSU’s loss in the Cotton Bowl, before ultimately deciding to return to Columbus.
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.
Bryson Rodgers was a four-star wide receiver prospect in the 2023 recruiting class and a coveted player by many, including Ohio State wide receivers coach and supreme talent evaluator Brian Hartline. The latter has essentially earned his pick of the litter when it comes to high school WRs and specifically targeted Rodgers to round out (or square out, get it?) a group of four WRs signed as part of OSU’s fourth-ranked class.
Unfortunately for Rodgers – at the time, not necessarily long-term – his commitment to Ohio State was somewhat overshadowed by commitments (also to OSU) from Brandon Inniss, Carnell Tate, and Noah Rogers, all consensus top-10 WRs in the same class. So despite being a top-40ish WR himself, Rodgers was by far the lowest-ranked player at his position to sign with the Buckeyes.
Then, and not so surprisingly, Rodgers failed to have or make much of an impact during his freshman season... That is to say nothing of his talent. Meaningful reps for true freshmen are few and far between at Ohio State, even more so at the oft-loaded WR position. However, this was likely of little to no comfort for Rodgers. Evidenced (partially or possibly) by his decision to enter the portal almost immediately after the Buckeyes’ disastrous Cotton Bowl performance.
But after a few weeks of testing the portal waters, Rodgers decided to reaffirm his commitment to OSU by withdrawing his name from the portal on January 13. He cited his faith, family, and conversations with both Hartline and Ryan Day as reasons for his return, as well as a newfound clarity regarding his role and path to playing time in Columbus. Now seven months removed from considering and/or exploring a transfer, Rodgers finds himself firmly in the mix for playing time as part of a revamped Ohio State WR group.
Now, does that mean Rodgers should be expected (or expecting) to play a significant role week in and week out? Probably not. Not right now, at least. Because Emeka Egbuka, Jeremiah Smith, and both Tate and Inniss – from Rodgers’ class – seem like virtual locks to begin the 2024 season as starters or co-starters for the Buckeyes. But after that, the competition for WR snaps appears to be wide-open. And there’s reason to believe that Rodgers could earn a small yet consistent role sooner rather than later.
At 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, Rodgers might not fit the profile of a prototypical slot option... And yet, that is exactly where Hartline says the latter is pushing for playing time. However, if Rodgers can flex or work outside, I believe that he would see even more opportunities. Because Egbuka will rarely leave the field when healthy, and he is a slot superstar. When he (Egbuka) does move outside or needs a breather, Inniss is the presumed understudy/stand-in. But what about the depth behind Tate and Smith? Those reps seem to be up grabs, with no clear frontrunner (s).
Jayden Ballard is probably the only other WR (besides the “core four”) with a claim to any playing time at all, except we’re now in Year 4 of the Ballard Experience and have very little to show for it. I’m still holding out hope for the Massillon product, but it’s possible that Rodgers only has to beat out one guy (Ballard) in order to see the field for OSU. This season. If and when he does, I think he has the talent to do some things.
Coming out of high school, Rodgers was recognized for his YAC skills. And if Ohio State’s offense is as potent as most expect it to be, there should be plenty of open space in which he can show off said skills. But first, Rodgers must prove that he can separate despite possessing a leaner, thinner frame. Of course, the same could have been said for Carnell Tate, and look at him now.
I don’t mean to suggest that Rodgers can or will challenge Tate for a role and/or playing time, however, I do think that the former could quickly become the latter’s understudy if given every opportunity. That certainly makes more sense to yours truly than developing Rodgers as a slot option. Especially with guys like Kojo Antwi and Mylan Graham also on the Buckeyes’ roster.
Of course, all of this conjecture means nothing if Rodgers is not fully invested and ready/willing to earn reps. But by returning to Ohio State, instead of looking for a quick/easy way out, I believe that he has already proven his willingness and desire to succeed as a Buckeye. And for that reason, Rodgers will be a player to watch in 2024.
Continue reading...