Unpopular opinion: Devin McCuin will finish second on Ohio State in receiving this season
Ohio State may already have its superstar in Jeremiah Smith, but UTSA transfer Devin McCuin could quietly become the Buckeyes’ most important complementary receiver as a polished veteran route runner with a real path to WR2 production in 2026.
Proven production matters more than people want to admit
Ohio State has recruited elite receiver talent for years, but there is a difference between recruiting projection and proven college production. McCuin arrives in Columbus with the latter already established.
At UTSA, he became one of the most productive receivers in program history, finishing his career with 152 receptions, 1,696 receiving yards, and 16 touchdowns while ranking top five all-time at the school in both catches and receiving yardage.
In 2025 alone, despite battling injuries during portions of the season, McCuin posted 65 receptions for 726 yards and eight touchdowns while operating as the focal point of the Roadrunners’ passing offense.
Those numbers matter, but the context around them matters even more. McCuin was not simply compiling easy production through manufactured touches or scheme inflation. His tape consistently shows a polished, experienced receiver capable of winning in multiple ways.
He understands leverage, he adjusts naturally to coverage rotations, and he creates separation through pacing and route detail rather than relying solely on athleticism. And perhaps most importantly for an Ohio State offense built around timing and spacing, he already plays like a quarterback-friendly receiver.
That last part is critical. Quarterbacks trust receivers who arrive where they are supposed to arrive, when they are supposed to arrive there. McCuin’s game is built around consistency and efficiency. He is not necessarily the flashiest receiver in the room physically, but he may already be one of the most dependable.
tends to matter a lot more than recruiting stars once the real games begin.
