On3’s Jesse Simonton started releasing his position group rankings for next season last week.
Given the strength of the Buckeyes’ wide receiver room, it comes as no surprise that they come in at number one on this list. With Jaxon Smith-Njigba out with a hamstring injury for most of last season, Ohio State returns their top six leaders in receiving yards.
Buy Buckeyes TicketsThe headliner of the unit is Marvin Harrison Jr. who is the consensus top wide receiver in all of college football. Harrison Jr.’s talent was apparent in his true freshman season and last season he broke out leading the team in catches (77), receiving yards (1,263), and receiving touchdowns (14).
The expectations for Harrison Jr. this season are sky-high as he will be an integral part of the Buckeyes offense and could even be a dark horse Heisman contender.
A wide receiver hasn’t gone top 3 since Calvin Johnson in 2007. Think that changes in 2024 with Marvin Harrison Jr.#Bears fans better hope the Panthers stink it up this year. Otherwise, he’ll be out of range. Maybe the best WR prospect I’ve ever watched. pic.twitter.com/V2sEghBhht
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) May 2, 2023
One of college football’s best receivers last season also returns with big expectations for this season. Emeka Egbuka is perhaps a bit under shadowed because he plays alongside Harrison Jr., but he was an integral part of the offense last season and will be this season as well.
Harrison Jr. and Egbuka are the clear top two target leaders in the offense and that third receiver option is also likely locked down as well.
CJ STROUD ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? TOUCHDOWN PASS TO JULIAN FLEMING pic.twitter.com/ahqnTxu8aK
— Barstool Ohio State (@BarstoolOSU) October 22, 2022
Julian Fleming was third on the team in receiving yards with 533 yards in last season. The former five-star from the 2020 class would likely be the top receiver on many teams across college football.
Jayden Ballard has speeeeed.pic.twitter.com/cOlBudclJJ
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 18, 2022
Jayden Ballard is another good option as he could provide more of a deep-threat element to the offense. Ballard showed out with a good performance at the Spring Game including a one-handed catch.
Returning for his sixth season with the Buckeyes will be Xavier Johnson. He has shown consistently that he can step up when he’s called upon as he caught two big touchdowns last season including a third-down strike over the middle against Notre Dame to give Ohio State the lead late in the third quarter.
Xavier Johnson won this game. pic.twitter.com/Un0m1mk2Oy
— Buckeyes Network (@BuckeyesNetwork) May 11, 2023
The Buckeyes also bring in a very talented group of freshmen receivers. Carnell Tate, Noah Rogers, and Brandon Inniss all were top ten ranked wide receivers in the 2023 class.
While they may not make a major impact this season, they will be important factors in the offense very soon.
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion.
