Ohio State football: Can the Buckeyes turn their receiver question mark into an exclamation point?

Entering the season, Ohio State had to replace a pair of standout wideouts now in the NFL, Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson (65 and 70 catches, respectively, in 2021).

It was clear to all that one player could probably not assume either role directly, but the Buckeyes had tons of depth and would assemble 2 great receivers in the aggregate from 4 or 5 candidates. After all, it worked fine in the Rose Bowl, with Olave and Wilson both opting out and the offense firing away methodically nonetheless.

But then Week 1 happened.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the one known quantity in the receiving corps after a record season in which he racked up 95 catches for 1,606 yards, was injured early in the game and finished with just 2 catches for 3 yards. Smith-Njigba’s injury is widely reported as a minor hamstring problem, and Ryan Day has advised that he hopes the standout receiver will be available Saturday against Arkansas State. But with the Buckeyes as a 45.5-point favorite, it might wise to sit Smith-Njigba just to be safe. Maybe even for a couple of games, right?

The Buckeyes also played without junior Julian Fleming, who had a dozen catches in 2021 and was one of the top candidates to move up in the receiver rotation. He missed the game against Notre Dame, but Day has again been optimistic about his sudden return. But again, at what possible cost? Even the most nervous of Buckeyes fans has to admit that Arkansas State isn’t exactly an imposing foe.

Against Notre Dame, Emeka Egbuka assumed the most prominent role in the receiving corps. His 9 grabs for 90 yards and a touchdown equaled his reception total of last year. The speedy sophomore excelled on kick returns a year ago, and he’s pretty clearly first among equals among the non-JSN receiving corps. But if Smith-Njigba and Fleming are missing or limited, it gets interesting for the Buckeyes after Egbuka.

Sophomore Marvin Harrison was a standout in the Rose Bowl last year when Olave and Wilson were unavailable, snagging 6 passes for 71 yards and 3 scores. But against Notre Dame, Harrison struggled, catching just 5 of 11 targeted attempts for 56 yards. Still, the smooth target is probably too talented to sit, and he does have one big game in his career tally.

Senior Xavier Johnson probably earned more opportunities, grabbing a pair of passes for 34 yards, including the 24-yard score that put OSU into a lead it would not relinquish. Once a walk-on, Johnson has earned his way to playing time after scuttling across multiple positions — running back, cornerback, and then wide receiver — while often standing out on special teams. Indeed, Saturday he drew praise from Ryan Day because after he caught the go-ahead touchdown, he made the tackle in coverage on the ensuing kickoff. Johnson is a feel-good story and a target with enough experience to carry the day as a leader.

Jayden Ballard is another possibility. The second-year Buckeye played briefly in 2021, grabbing a single 4-yard pass in his handful of snaps. But the 6-foot-2 target could be a playmaker outside for OSU, and he snagged a pair of receptions for 14 yards against Notre Dame.

Oft-injured junior Kamryn Babb has been battling another minor injury, but he could soon be back to seeing snaps. True freshman Caleb Burton has the advantage of having completed spring practice, and he handled a couple receptions in the OSU spring game.

Even without their most dangerous playmaker and another likely top 5 contributor at the position group, Ohio State still has plenty of choices. But coming off a game when CJ Stroud was handcuffed to a (for him) low-production game of 223 yards, Ryan Day would love to solidify a couple more options at receiver.

Arkansas State should provide a learning opportunity for the Buckeyes receiving corps, regardless of who sits or plays. Next man up.

Joe Cox

Veteran college writer Joe Cox covers Ohio State and college basketball for Saturday Tradition.