Ohio State’s wide receiver room is entering a new era - and it’s Cortez Hankton’s show to run now.
The Buckeyes made a splash by hiring Hankton as their new wide receivers coach, a move that sparked plenty of conversation. On one hand, you’ve got his undeniable track record developing NFL-ready talent - Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. at LSU, George Pickens at Georgia, and seven total draft picks between those two powerhouse programs. On the other hand, some fans have raised eyebrows over his recruiting résumé, which includes just one five-star recruit as a primary recruiter.
But for head coach Ryan Day, the decision was clear - and more importantly, it’s a decision the players are already buying into.
“We looked at everybody in the country,” Day said during a recent offseason appearance on 97.1 The Fan. “When we brought him on a visit, we had him go in the room with some of the receivers. By the end of the meeting, they were all nodding their heads like, ‘This is our guy.’”
That kind of instant connection matters. Especially in a room that’s long been the gold standard in college football, thanks in large part to Brian Hartline’s eight-year run developing elite talent. With Hartline off to take over the head coaching job at South Florida, Ohio State needed more than a résumé - they needed a leader who could command the room, relate to the players, and keep the pipeline flowing.
Enter Hankton.
“It doesn’t take long to realize how intelligent he is, how well he relates to the players,” Day said. “He’s off to a good start.”
Hankton walks into a room that’s stacked with talent and layered with experience. At the top of the depth chart is Jeremiah Smith - the best wide receiver in college football and a projected top-five pick in next year’s NFL Draft.
Smith is back for what’s expected to be his final season in Columbus after posting 87 catches for 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore. He’s already on pace to rewrite the Buckeyes’ record books.
“It starts with Jeremiah,” Day said. “Having him come back was a huge deal.
I’m sure the fans don’t quite understand what goes into these things - there’s a lot that goes with it. But the best receiver in college football is back in Columbus, and that’s a big deal for all of us.
He makes everybody on the field better every day.”
But Ohio State didn’t stop there. With an eye on experience and depth, Day hit the transfer portal hard - and landed two key pieces to round out the Z receiver spot: UTSA’s Devin McCuin and LSU’s Kyle Parker.
McCuin brings legit track speed - we’re talking 10.28 seconds in the 100-meter dash - and the kind of playmaking ability that jumps off the screen. He put up 65 catches for 726 yards and eight touchdowns last season with the Roadrunners, and Day has already described some of his tape as “wow” plays.
Parker, meanwhile, followed Hankton from Baton Rouge and brings SEC-tested experience. He logged 31 catches for 330 yards and four scores in 2025, and his familiarity with Hankton’s coaching style should help him transition quickly.
Both McCuin and Parker will join returning slot receiver Brandon Inniss, who’s looking to level up in his senior season. Inniss, a team captain last year, posted 271 receiving yards - a number both he and the coaching staff know needs to climb.
“Brandon was critical coming back,” Day said. “Not only a captain, but someone who brings a lot of leadership.
He needs to take the next step for us. He knows that.
He wants to make an impact on games in the worst way.”
The Buckeyes also reloaded with elite young talent. Two top-50 recruits - Chris Henry Jr. and Jerquaden Guilford - are set to join the mix.
Henry, a five-star prospect out of national powerhouse Mater Dei, comes in ranked as the No. 2 receiver and No. 14 overall player in his class. Guilford, another high-upside freshman, adds even more depth to a group that’s already brimming with potential.
“They’re really talented, as we know,” Day said.
So what does all this mean for Ohio State’s wide receiver corps in 2026?
It means the Buckeyes aren’t just trying to maintain the standard Hartline set - they’re aiming to evolve it. With Hankton’s development chops, Smith’s superstar presence, experienced transfers, and a pair of blue-chip freshmen, this group has the tools to be among the best in the country once again.
The transition from Hartline to Hankton was always going to be one of the biggest storylines of the offseason in Columbus. But if the early signs are any indication, the Buckeyes might not just be in good hands - they might be in great ones.