Ohio State didn’t exactly make a splash when it landed Devin McCuin from UTSA this offseason. A 3-star transfer usually reads like depth insurance, not a headline move, especially in a receiver room that already includes Jeremiah Smith, Brandon Inniss and a wave of highly touted young talent.
But early in preseason camp, McCuin is forcing his way into the conversation.
On Ohio State’s second practice of camp, McCuin was the name getting attention after he hauled in multiple deep balls from Julian Sayin, including a toe-tap touchdown against tight coverage from Dominick Kelly. The buzz didn’t stop there. “Also buy stock in Ohio State transfer wide receiver Devin McCuin” was another reaction circulating after the session.
Sayin also had plenty of praise for the transfer receiver.
“A really, really talented receiver. A lot of speed.
Very smart player. Knows where he’s going; he’s in the right spot,” he said.
“And a guy who’s willing to block for us and go do the dirty work and make plays, so he’s done some good things.” …
That kind of start matters for a Buckeyes offense that just watched Carnell Tate head to the NFL Draft. Ohio State still has Smith, who returns as the best receiver in the country, and Inniss, who is back in the starting mix. That leaves one opening in the top trio, and plenty of people expected the answer to come from the freshman class, with 5-stars Chris Henry Jr. and Jerquaden Guilford drawing attention.
McCuin, though, is making a real case.
His production at UTSA gives Ohio State a reason to believe this isn’t just camp noise. Over three seasons with the Roadrunners, he showed steady growth, and this past year he put up 65 catches for 726 yards and 8 touchdowns, along with 11 rushing yards.
The fit is obvious. McCuin brings the kind of speed that can force defenses to respect the deep ball, which in turn can help open things up for Smith. Even if some of the younger receivers carry more long-term upside, McCuin looks built to complement Ohio State’s top options right away if this early momentum keeps rolling.
And for a program that has made receiver development a yearly storyline, the transition from Brian Hartline to first-year head coach won’t change the expectation at the position. The room was already a strength. If McCuin keeps flashing like this, it gets even tougher for defenses to deal with.
In Other News...
Ohio State Heads To Iowa With Two Starters Suddenly In Doubt
Ohio State heads to Iowa with a little more uncertainty than it likely wanted this week, as two starters showed up on the availability report as questionable. Jay Timmons is working back from a hamstring injury, while Phillip Daniels remains sidelined after an earlier injury, leaving the Buckeyes with some real late-week questions as they prepare for a tough road test.
There is at least one encouraging note for the defense, though, with defensive end Zion Grady cleared to return after missing two games. Iowa, meanwhile, will be short a starter of its own, with safety Tyler Brown ruled out as he continues to recover, so both teams are heading into the matchup with some moving parts still unresolved. [Read more 🡒]
Jeremiah Smith Just Forced An Ohio State Greatness Debate
Jeremiah Smiths record-setting afternoon against Illinois gave Ohio State something bigger than a win to talk about. The freshman hauled in 12 catches for 217 yards and four touchdowns, a line that immediately pushed his name into a conversation that Buckeye fans know is never casual: where he already stacks up among the great wideouts to wear the scarlet and gray.
Jeremiah Smiths physical tools and production have drawn praise from analysts and former players alike, and the early rsum is starting to look the part of a legacy candidate. The debate now carries into the next stretch of the schedule, where more big games will help determine whether this was a dazzling milestone or the start of a case for the top spot in Ohio State receiver history. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Faces One Big Roster Question Entering Dieblers Third Season
Ohio States annual media day offered the first real look at Jake Diebler entering his third season, and the Buckeyes came away sounding encouraged about what this roster can become. With six returning players and nine newcomers, the mix is still coming together, but Diebler pointed to the teams size, depth and a non-conference schedule that should give the group an early measuring stick after a week of practice.
What remains unsettled is how quickly all of those pieces will fit, especially with exhibition games on the horizon and the regular season set to start Nov. 2. The Buckeyes have plenty of new faces to sort through and enough talent to make the early weeks interesting, but the next stretch will reveal whether the rosters promise can translate into something more defined once the games begin to matter. [Read more 🡒]