The most significant position competition is given a novel twist by the new Ohio State football reality—Jimmy Watkins

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The competition for Ohio State’s starting quarterback position is always a topic that draws national attention. But in 2025, the Buckeyes’ most compelling position battle isn’t happening under center. It’s playing out in the trenches and on the edges. This spring, amid a coaching overhaul, transfer portal reshuffling, and a cultural recalibration, the wide receiver rotation has become Ohio State’s most significant position competition — and it’s being given a novel twist by the program’s new reality.

The Buckeyes, long heralded for producing elite quarterbacks and NFL-ready receivers, are embracing a fundamental shift that has turned what used to be a predictable pipeline into a dynamic proving ground. With Brian Hartline now holding even more sway as the program’s offensive coordinator and the culture reset by newly promoted head coach Chip Kelly, the traditional receiver hierarchy is being reimagined.

This is not just about who runs the fastest 40-yard dash or who makes the flashiest one-handed grabs. It’s about versatility. It’s about toughness. And more than anything, it’s about redefining identity in a post-Marvin Harrison Jr. world.

The Hartline Evolution

Under Brian Hartline, Ohio State has recruited the best receiving talent in the country. Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr. — the names roll off the tongue like a who’s who of NFL stardom. But what Hartline is engineering now, in tandem with Chip Kelly’s offensive philosophies, is a system less reliant on one transcendent figure and more focused on relentless tempo and positional interchangeability.

With Kelly’s arrival, Hartline’s role expanded. He’s not just managing a room of elite receivers anymore — he’s implementing an entire offensive vision. And that vision demands more from the Buckeyes’ pass-catchers than ever before.

“You don’t get by on talent alone here anymore,” Hartline said during a spring practice availability. “We need guys who can block, play inside and out, run after the catch, and adapt to tempo. We’re building complete players, not highlight reels.”

The Contenders: Old Faces, New Challenges

For years, the pecking order in the receiver room was almost preordained by recruiting rankings and spring performances. That’s no longer the case.

Carnell Tate, a former five-star who flashed last season, was assumed to be the next man up after Harrison’s departure. He’s smooth, sure-handed, and technically polished — a quintessential Hartline product. But in the new Buckeye reality, his quiet consistency is being challenged by others bringing more physicality and positional flexibility.

Brandon Inniss, Tate’s high-profile classmate, is surging thanks to his ability to play multiple receiver positions. Inniss was recruited as a slot but has proven more than capable outside, thriving in Chip Kelly’s high-octane, horizontal-stretching offense. He’s taken reps in the backfield, has been a willing blocker, and continues to impress with his football IQ.

Then there’s Jeremiah Smith, the unicorn freshman who may be too talented to keep off the field. Smith enrolled early and is already drawing comparisons to Harrison. Coaches are using him all over the field — X, Z, and even occasionally motioning into H-back looks. His ability to learn on the fly and absorb coaching has catapulted him into the starting conversation faster than anyone expected.

But perhaps the most surprising name in the mix is Kojo Antwi, who has waited his turn and now, with the added premium on blocking and physicality, is showing traits that give him a unique edge.

“It’s not just about catching anymore,” Antwi said. “It’s about playing violent, playing smart, and doing everything the team needs. I think that plays to my strengths.”

The Chip Kelly Factor

Kelly’s influence can’t be overstated. Known for pioneering the blur offense at Oregon, Kelly demands receivers be more than route runners. In his system, receivers are extensions of the run game, screens, and tempo packages. They must block on the perimeter, adjust routes based on coverages at lightning speed, and run more after the catch.

This shift has affected how the position competition is evaluated.

Rather than focusing on the typical “X, Z, slot” structure, Ohio State is experimenting with fluid groupings based on situation and matchup. One period of practice might feature Smith, Inniss, and tight end Jelani Thurman in a jumbo look designed to create mismatches on screens. The next could roll out Tate, sophomore Bryson Rodgers, and walk-on speedster Xavier Johnson in a lightning-fast trio designed to stretch defenses horizontally and vertically.

“Chip’s offense rewards mental agility,” said offensive analyst Tim Beck. “The guy who knows three positions and blocks his tail off might play over the five-star who only runs go routes.”

That’s a stark departure from the star-centric model Ohio State leaned on in recent years.

A Post-Marv Mentality

Marvin Harrison Jr.’s departure to the NFL created a void — not just in production but in offensive identity. Harrison was the cheat code. Every major third down, every crunch-time series, he was the automatic read. That’s no longer the case, and the coaches believe that’s a good thing.

“I think we relied on Marv a little too much at times,” Hartline admitted. “When you’ve got a player like that, it’s hard not to. But now we have to play more collectively. Defenses can’t key in on one guy anymore.”

The “post-Marv mentality” has forced every receiver to elevate their game and diversify their skill set. It’s also opened the door for tight ends and running backs to play bigger roles in the passing game — something Kelly has long championed.

Sophomore tight end Jelani Thurman has emerged as a Swiss Army knife, catching passes out of stacked formations and even motioning into the slot. Running back TreVeyon Henderson has been working heavily on pass routes and catching reps out wide. It’s not just a receiver competition anymore — it’s a battle of offensive weapons.

Recruiting vs. Reality

This evolution has exposed a hard truth: recruiting hype doesn’t guarantee playing time anymore. Players like Bryson Rodgers and Kojo Antwi, who came in with less fanfare, are thriving because of their ability to adapt and do the little things.

That’s created an ultra-competitive environment in the receiver room, where ego is checked at the door.

“There’s no seniority anymore,” Rodgers said. “Every day is a job interview.”

Even incoming freshmen like Mylan Graham and Jeremiah McClellan are getting early reps — both showing flashes of future impact but also learning the grind it takes to meet Kelly’s expectations.

The new Ohio State reality demands selflessness and a commitment to doing the dirty work. For some, it’s a wake-up call. For others, it’s a golden opportunity.

The Cultural Reset

Off the field, the coaching staff has reinforced a team-first approach that emphasizes versatility and accountability. Team meetings have featured veterans like Emeka Egbuka and Xavier Johnson sharing hard-earned lessons about humility, work ethic, and preparation.

The message is clear: no one is guaranteed anything, and the most talented players won’t necessarily be the ones who see the field first.

“It’s not about stars, it’s about snaps,” Kelly reportedly told the team during winter workouts. “Earn them.”

The competition has become a proving ground not just of skill, but of mindset.

What It Means for the 2025 Season

Ohio State’s offense in 2025 may not feature a Biletnikoff finalist — at least not right away. But what it will feature is a rotating, multi-dimensional group of pass-catchers capable of attacking defenses from every angle. The Buckeyes might not have a singular superstar, but they’ll have matchup nightmares across the board.

That could make them harder to defend than ever.

Quarterback Devin Brown (or potentially Julian Sayin, depending on how the spring shakes out) will benefit from a diverse array of targets, all capable of executing Kelly’s fast-paced schemes. And with no clear “alpha” demanding the lion’s share of targets, the offense could be more unpredictable and dangerous.

“This isn’t a rebuild,” Hartline emphasized. “It’s a recalibration. And we’re going to be better for it.”

A New Era, a New Standard

The most significant position competition at Ohio State isn’t about replacing Marvin Harrison Jr. with a carbon copy. It’s about redefining what it means to be a Buckeye receiver in a new era of offensive football.

Under Brian Hartline and Chip Kelly, the Buckeyes are shifting from star-centric to system-strong. From highlight-chasing to detail-driven. And from predictability to innovation.

It’s a novel twist on a tradition-rich program — one that may ultimately elevate Ohio State to a more sustainable, multi-faceted offensive identity.

If this spring has proven anything, it’s that the Buckeyes’ receiver room is no longer about who the best player is.

It’s about who can do the most, the fastest, the smartest — and who’s willing to earn every single snap.