Brandon Inniss may be an Ohio State captain, but the early signs out of fall camp point to a familiar kind of job for the versatile slot receiver and return man: important, useful, and maybe not the featured one.
CBS Sports’ Brad Crawford has Julian Sayin looking for a possible No. 2 target in the slot, and that spot may not belong to Inniss. Instead, transfer receiver Chris McCuin has pushed himself into the conversation.
"This fourth-year wideout might be new to the Big Ten, but McCuin is carrying himself as if he belongs in one of college football's deepest pass-catching rooms. His confidence has been impossible to miss during the early portion of fall camp, and one source told CBS Sports that McCuin could be ahead of Brandon Innis in the competition to become Ohio State's No. 2 option behind Jeremiah Smith," Crawford wrote.
"That would be a significant development for a transfer who arrived without the five-star billing that several others in the room had. McCuin was productive over three seasons at UTSA, totaling 152 receptions for 1,696 yards and 16 touchdowns. He brings experience, route-running polish and proven playmaking ability to a talented offense."
McCuin is not the only newcomer making life interesting for Inniss. Former LSU wideout Kyle Parker has also been turning heads this offseason and could carve into the target share as well. Parker arrives in Columbus having already worked with first-year Buckeyes wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton in Baton Rouge, a connection that could matter in Arthur Smith's offense.
That leaves Inniss with real competition in the slot, but the bigger picture is that McCuin and Parker could tell Ohio State something about the transfer portal going forward. If those additions hit, Ryan Day may have even more reason to keep dipping into the portal at receiver.
None of that sounds like a problem for Inniss, though. If McCuin and Parker make Ohio State better, he looks like the kind of player who would embrace it.
That attitude has been part of his profile for a long time. Back at American Heritage in Fort Lauderdale, the six-foot, 200-pound receiver already had a reputation as a team-first guy. Patrick Surtain Sr., who coached Inniss in high school, made that clear when Inniss was still committed to Oklahoma.
“He’s a selfless guy. He said, 'Coach, I want to do it.'
[Not] like, 'Oh, I'm going to Oklahoma. I'm the No. 1 receiver in the country.
No, I'm staying at receiver.' He said, 'Coach, whatever I've got to do for the team, I'm here for.'
He relished that role," Surtain said.
That same approach has carried over to Columbus. Inniss has been around elite receivers like Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate, and Jeremiah Smith, and he never pushed for more.
He has had chances to transfer and stayed put. He’s also not the type to complain if someone like Legend Bey takes over punt returns.
Ohio State has built its reputation on having players who accept whatever role helps the team most. Inniss fits that mold.
In a lot of programs, he’d be the clear centerpiece. For the Buckeyes, he may just be another selfless piece in a room full of talent, and that’s exactly why he matters.
In Other News...
Ohio States Quarterback Pipeline Looks Dangerous For Years To Come
Christopher Vargas commitment gives Ohio State another layer to its quarterback picture, and it only adds to a room that already includes Julian Sayin and Tavien St. Clair. With Sayin expected to finish this season and St. Clair projected to follow for another year or two, the Buckeyes now have the kind of depth that lets them think about succession far beyond one recruiting cycle.
Vargas brings a different style and skill set than the quarterbacks already in place, which is part of what makes the whole setup so intriguing for Ohio State. If the pieces line up the way the Buckeyes hope, they could keep a five-star-caliber quarterback at the center of the offense for years, with each passer bringing something a little different before the next one takes over. [Read more 🡒]
Jalen McCuin Is Giving Ohio State Fans A New Reason To Watch
Early fall camp is giving Ohio State a better sense of what its receiving room might look like beyond Jeremiah Smith, and Jalen McCuin has quickly become part of that conversation. The transfer has drawn notice for the way he has settled in and positioned himself as a player worth watching as the Buckeyes sort out who can handle a larger workload once the season begins.
McCuins rise matters because Ohio State is not just looking for bodies at the position, it is looking for reliable separation behind its top target. The early impression around camp is that he has put himself in the mix for a meaningful role, which adds another layer to a receiver battle that already has plenty at stake for players trying to earn trust before the real games arrive. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Freshman Is Suddenly Changing The Buckeyes Secondary Battle
Ohio States secondary has been one of the cleaner little battles to watch in fall camp, and freshman cornerback Jay Timmons has quickly forced his way into the conversation. The Buckeyes have given him plenty of work at the nickel spot, and the early returns have been strong enough to get the attention of both teammates and coaches as the team sorts through roles before the season begins.
Timmons rise matters because nickel is one of those spots where trust can matter as much as talent, and a freshman suddenly pushing for meaningful snaps changes the shape of the depth chart. If his camp momentum keeps building, Ohio State may have to make some difficult decisions about how it wants to divide playing time among the rest of its defensive backs. [Read more 🡒]