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Ohio State’s Brian Hartline still raving about freshman WRs: ‘They’re all studs’
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A hypothetical search for great receivers who played collegiately at Ohio State University wouldn’t last long. From past legends like the Hall of Famers Paul Warfield and Cris Carter, to stars of a more recent vintage in Santonio Holmes and Michael Thomas, the Buckeyes could put together an all-star-alumni receiving room two or three times over.
Brian Hartline went from being a standout slot receiver at Ohio State to a journeyman’s career in the NFL, and now back to Columbus to coach the position group under head coach Ryan Day. According to Hartline, the Buckeyes’ healthy pipeline is in no danger of drying up.
In addition to the team’s top stars in Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, a sophomore and junior, respectively, Hartline told media the Buckeyes have four freshman receivers prepping to be stars under the bright lights of the Horse Shoe in the near future.
“They’re all studs, man,” said Hartline. “These guys keep you very, very, very optimistic about the wide receiver room at Ohio State.”
Hartline was referring to Mookie Cooper, Gee Scott Jr., Julian Fleming, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. There are not enough footballs to go around in 2020 with another deep Buckeyes class of pass catchers, but as the individuals ahead invariably clear out—to graduation and/or the NFL—the freshman posse is going to get its chance to find the end zone for a grateful Buckeye Nation.
Ohio State is 3-0 and ranked third in the nation. They are playing at home this Saturday agains the ninth ranked, 4-0, and suddenly dangerous Indiana Hoosiers in what should be their stiffest test of the season. The game kicks at noon EST and is FOX College Football’s game of the week.
Mark Schipper is a reporter, sportswriter, and aspiring novelist living in Chicago, Illinois.