Ohio State’s offense is starting to come into focus with the season opener against Ball State just a week away, and fall camp has pushed a few names higher on the depth chart and in the room.
The biggest mover has been wide receiver Devin McCuin. The senior transfer arrived after three seasons at UTSA, where he led the Roadrunners last season with 65 catches, 726 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Now he’s made a real case to be Ohio State’s No. 3 receiver behind Jeremiah Smith and Brandon Inniss.
Ryan Day said early in camp that McCuin had already put himself in position to grab a major role.
“I thought he was consistent in the spring, but now he's gonna take a huge step here, because that position, as we know, is gonna be critical,” Day said. “That position is really gonna be an important part of our offense. And Devin certainly has put himself in a position to be that guy that was gonna compete for it and win the job.”
That belief has carried inside the locker room, too. Julian Sayin has praised McCuin’s speed, his willingness to block and how often he ends up in the right spot.
Sayin has also emerged as one of the clearest leaders on the offense. The quarterback showed talent and accuracy last season, but this camp has been about a different kind of growth: control, command and voice. Players around him have described the change as night and day.
“He’s doing a great job using his voice more, taking command of offense,” Jeremiah Smith said about Sayin. “He’s taken that step and he’s in the huddle like … telling everybody to shut up and saying all types of stuff. You see that swagger coming out of him.”
Sayin’s status has only grown from there. He’s one of Ohio State’s seven captains and has also landed on five major preseason award watch lists.
Brandon Inniss has continued to build his own leadership profile as well. He’s been named a captain for the second straight season and was chosen as the Block “O” recipient, which means he’ll wear No. 0 in honor of Ohio State legend Bill Willis. The number is tied to toughness, accountability and character, and those are traits Inniss has carried throughout his Buckeye career.
“Being a captain at Ohio State is different, it’s different than anywhere else in the country,” Inniss said. “When you’re a captain here, you leave a legacy behind.”
Inniss will be a key piece alongside Jeremiah Smith in 2026, and he likes where the offense sits heading into Week 1.
“I love where we stand,” Inniss said about his side of the ball. “We had two great scrimmages, we watched the film, we corrected some things.
I love where offense stands. We’re gonna be a great, explosive offense this year, put up a lot of points, and have a lot of wins.”
Inniss played in every game last season and finished with 35 receptions for 271 yards and three touchdowns.
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