Ohio State 2023 roster breakdown: Buckeyes boast nations finest collection of WRs

We started our position series with the quarterbacks last Wednesday and running backs on Thursday. Today we’re breaking down arguably the most talented receiver group in the country.

The Buckeyes have 13 scholarship receivers, including the incoming freshmen.

We already know what the top of the depth chart looks like, so what’s the key for the spring? Who can stand out with a few starters sitting due to injuries?

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Let’s get into the receiving corps.

A look at the roster

Ohio State consistently puts together one of the best collections of wide receivers in the country. The Buckeyes have the recruiting and development expertise of now-offensive coordinator Brian Hartline to thank for that.

Marvin Harrison Jr., returns as the best receiver in the country. He posted 1,263 yards in his unanimous All-America season. Ohio State’s other two starters, Emeka Egbuka and Julian Fleming, will be back as well. Egbuka had a 1,000-yard season, as well, and Fleming scored a touchdown in his first five games after returning from injury.

OSU scholarship WRs, 2023

Xavier Johnson returns as a key versatility piece. He caught 13 passes for 151 yards and three touchdowns (including one in the Peach Bowl) and added 146 yards rushing on 12 carries.

There’s plenty of young talent behind those four. Jayden Ballard showed flashes last year, most notably in a four-catch, 113-yard performance in the win over Toledo in Week 3. Kaleb Brown and Kyion Grayes were top-100 prospects in the Class of 2022.

The incoming freshman class includes three player ranked in the top 60 nationally in Brandon Inniss, Noah Rogers and Carnell Tate as well as Bryson Rodgers, ranked No. 355. Inniss is the only one of the freshman receivers who is not on campus and participating in spring practice.

Injury update

Ohio State will be without two starters in the spring, with Egbuka and Fleming recovering from injuries suffered during the season.

Projected depth chart

The top four receivers are pretty much set going into the 2023 season — Fleming, Harrison, Egbuka and Johnson. The depth chart will look a little different in the spring, though, with Fleming and Egbuka out.

Ballard will get plenty of reps this spring and can make a case for a larger role next fall. If you’re looking for a non-starter to make an impact, Ballard could be that guy.

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They said it

“I think right now in the offseason program, the biggest thing is you should be trying to impress your peers. Peers know, players know. Trying to impress your peers, that means everything. Being on time, if not early. It’s how you work. How you communicate. By doing that you will in turn impress (strength coach Mickey Marotti). If you can impress him then you’re on the right track. I’ve never seen a guy impress Coach Mick and not be on the field. If you keep your mindset on impressing your peers, because those peers are hard to impress, that will impress Coach Mick and then the coaches will be (impressed) too,” — Hartline on how the young players can stand out in the offseason

What needs to happen this spring?

This is going to be an important spring for the young receivers. Egbuka and Fleming are out, and Harrison likely won’t take on a heavy work load. There will be reps available with the first-team offense.

In that case, we’re going to be looking at players like Ballard and the second-year group of Brown, Graves, Caleb Burton and Kojo Antwi. All four were top-150 players nationally in the 2022 class.

Can somebody make a good enough impression to jump into the rotation?

The second-year group won’t be the only young players getting meaningful reps. With three of the Class of 2023 receivers already on campus, Ohio State will get a good look at what the future of the position looks like as well.

(Photo of Jayden Ballard: Ben Jackson / Getty Images)

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