Garrett Wilson | WR | No. 5
Garrett Wilson had a pretty strong true-freshman season for the Buckeyes in 2019, going for 432 yards and 5 touchdowns on the campaign (fourth best on the team in both categories). But, with the departures of Binjimen Victor, Austin Mack, and especially K.J. Hill, Wilson is poised for a breakout season this fall.
The 6-foot wide receiver was a backup on the outside last season, but with Hill now playing for the Los Angeles Chargers, Ryan Day and Brian Hartline need a talented, sure-handed pass-catcher to play in the slot, and all indications seem to point to that being Wilson.
While Chris Olave led the Buckeyes in receiving yards last season by more than 200 (840 to Hill’s 636), it was Hill who led the team in receptions (57 to Olave’s 48). Olave and Jameson Williams (more on him next) will likely be the starting receivers on the outside (imo), and Wilson’s mix of consistency and explosion will have him occupying the middle of the field.
I am excited by what having a receiver of his talent and athleticism coming out of the slot can do for Fields. Wilson will require attention from opposing safeties over the middle, but should also be able to take advantage of the quick-hitting mesh routes that we have seen Buckeye QBs take advantage of in small doses in recent years as well. We don’t yet know if he has the durability and consistency of Hill, but we do know that he is even more dynamic, which is very, very intriguing.