Freshman wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. (15) checks in with an official during Ohio State’s 2026 Spring Game on Apr. 18, 2026. Credit: Liam Ahern | Managing Photo Editor

Over the last five years, hearing an Ohio State wide receiver’s name called during the first round of the NFL Draft has become a staple.

The connection between Buckeye wideouts and the NFL Draft has highlighted a position group that has been a strength of Ohio State’s team.

This season, while the Buckeyes return junior All-American Jeremiah Smith and senior Block “O” recipient Brandon Inniss at wideout, they don’t return many other familiar faces at the position.?

From last season’s wide receiver group, Ohio State lost four of its six highest producers in receptions and yards, which combined for 67 receptions, 1106 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. That unit consisted of Carnell Tate, who was selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans, and three other receivers – Mylan Graham, Bryson Rodgers and Quincy Porter – who each entered the transfer portal.?

Ohio State also lost offensive coordinator Brian Hartline, who was the Buckeyes’ wide receivers coach for eight seasons, to the head coaching position at the University of South Florida.?

Despite limited returning players and a new wide receivers coach, head coach Ryan Day does not seem concerned about this season’s position group.?

“Our depth again, at wide receiver, is way better than it was last year, in my opinion,” Day said Tuesday. “There’s a lot of guys you’ll see play this season.”

Ohio State brought in senior transfer wideout Devin McCuin from UTSA, who earned third-team AAC honors in 2025. The Buckeyes also brought in new wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton and senior transfer receiver Kyle Parker from LSU. However, Day said Tuesday Parker is currently dealing with an injury.?

While quarterback Julian Sayin said he built chemistry with Smith and Inniss from last season, he has also been able to develop connections on the field with McCuin and two freshmen wideouts, Chris Henry Jr. and Brock Boyd, leading up to the season.?

“Building that chemistry with [McCuin] and then with [Henry Jr.] and [Boyd] has been great,” Sayin said.?

Despite having different skill sets and frames, Henry and Boyd have impressed as freshmen.?

Inniss said Henry, a five-star recruit, has flashed with his physical traits on the field.

“You’re not going to see a 6-[foot]-6 receiver that can run and move the way he moves,” Inniss said.

Despite only coming in as a three-star recruit, Boyd has also made his presence felt for the Buckeyes.

“I think he’s somebody who knows the ins and outs of the zone, can win versus man coverage and just the guy that he’s always seeming to find himself to be open,” Sayin said.

Smith, who led the Buckeyes in receiving yards and touchdowns in each of his first two seasons with the team, is now looking to make an impact in a new role. As a team captain, Smith has taken a leadership role within the receivers room, saying that upperclassmen mentored him when he was in their shoes.?

“Guys did it for me when I first came in, so [I’ve] always got to mentor the young guys and show them the right way of doing things,” Smith said.

Although Inniss has played in every game the last two seasons, Smith believes the two-time captain is due for a bigger season in 2026.?

“I think this year you’re going to see a whole different [Inniss] and he’s going to make a lot of plays for us,” Smith said.??

Day said Tuesday he believes the Buckeyes could play six receivers in a matchup game.?

Despite the turnover, behind returnees Smith and Inniss and a mix of transfers and freshmen, Ohio State looks for its wide receiver room depth to be a strength for the 2026 Buckeyes.

“The more fresh we can be, the more our offense can be explosive,” Inniss said.