The last two NFL offseasons have turned into a windfall for former Ohio State wide receivers, with four of the biggest names from the Buckeyes cashing in on massive extensions.
That’s the latest proof of what has become Ohio State’s calling card under Brian Hartline: receivers who don’t just dominate in college, but carry that production straight into the NFL. The pipeline keeps paying off, and the contracts have followed.
Chris Olave was the newest Buckeye to land a major deal, signing his extension with the New Orleans Saints right before Training Camp. He was entering his fifth season in New Orleans and the final year of his rookie contract, which put him right on the usual NFL timeline for a long-term extension.
The Saints got the most out of him last season with new quarterback Tyler Shough, and Olave responded by smashing his previous career highs. The reward was a four-year, $132 million extension.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba took the biggest payday of the group. One offseason before JSN won Offensive Rookie of the Year and helped lead the Seahawks to the Super Bowl, he signed a four-year, $168.6 million extension.
Garrett Wilson and Terry McLaurin round out the group of Buckeye pass-catchers who have gotten paid. McLaurin signed a three-year, $97 million extension, while Wilson landed a four-year, $130 million deal.
Altogether, those four players have locked in 15 years and $527 million. That’s more than half a billion dollars generated by receivers developed in Columbus and wearing the Scarlet and Gray.
Whatever comes next, whether it’s production on the field or more record-setting deals, the pipeline is clearly still rolling. Smith has the potential to be one of the all-time greats, but that will come in time.
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Ohio States WRU Edge Is Still Turning Heads With Elite Recruits
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