Johnnie Dixon, Terry McLaurin, Trevon Grimes, K.J. Hill and more make up Ohio State's wide receiver group, known affectionately as Zone 6.
However, the moniker may be wearing off after a few lackluster performances by the corps in recent years. In 2016, Curtis Samuel led the team in receiving yards, but played the H-Back role in Urban Meyer's offense. Noah Brown was the true wide receiver with the most yardage at just 402 last season, and topped 50 yards receiving in a game only twice.
In fact, if you toss out the 2011 season, Brown's 402 yards to lead the team as a true wide receiver is the lowest total for Ohio State since 1992 when Bernard Edwards and Brian Stablein tied for the team lead at 381 yards.
In 2008, Brian Robiskie led the team with 535, and that's the next lowest total the team leader has had in the last 25 years (again, tossing the 2011 season out).
However, in looking at the team's leading receiver throughout the last 25 years, you'll notice that the team leader often returned the next season to lead the team again. Specifically, Corey "Philly" Brown in 2012 and 2013, Brian Robiskie in 2007 and 2008, Santonio Holmes in 2004 and 2005, Michael Jenkins from 2001-2003, Ken-Yon Rambo in 1999 and 2000 and Joey Galloway in 1993 and 1994. Devin Smith even led the team in yardage twice in 2011 and 2014.
| Name | Years Led | Yards (Respectively) |
|---|---|---|
| Joey Galloway | 1993, 1994 | 946, 669 |
| Ken-Yon Rambo | 1999, 2000 | 833, 794 |
| Michael Jenkins | 2001-2003 | 988, 1076, 834 |
| Santonio Holmes | 2004, 2005 | 769, 977 |
| Brian Robiskie | 2007, 2008 | 935, 535 |
| Devin Smith | 2011, 2014 | 294, 931 |
| Corey "Philly" Brown | 2012, 2013 | 669, 771 |
Brown will not have the opportunity to add himself to this list seeing as he declared for the NFL Draft and is now hanging out on the Dallas Cowboys' roster.
Of course, it's not always written in stone that the team's leading receiver will return the next season (ask any Terry Glenn fan), but it does seem concerning that the team's leading receiver amassed one of the lowest totals in the past 25 years and won't be returning to Ohio State to improve upon that total.
In fact, in losing Curtis Samuel, Dontre Wilson and Noah Brown, the Buckeyes will be missing nearly 60 percent of its total receiving yardage from last season.
So, the team's leading returning receiver is... [drum roll, please]
K.J. Hill, who amassed 262 yards in 13 games last season. You can also include Marcus Baugh who had 269 yards as a tight end, if you'd like. Either way, neither of those two accounted for even 10 percent of the team's total receiving yardage, which isn't exactly what's expected from a No. 1 receiver for a team with serious national championship chances.
Especially when that team is led by one of the best quarterbacks in school history and has some pretty good odds at the Heisman trophy.
So, how will the Buckeyes manage the expectations of a team that will be looking for a spot in the College Football Playoff while fielding a group of receivers that doesn't have much proven talent?
Well, I'm not Urban Meyer, Kevin Wilson, Zach Smith or any of the receivers on the roster, so I can't answer that question perfectly, but I can put forth a few possibilities.
For starters, the team will have to rely on some of the players from last season developing and growing into larger roles. Seeing as K.J. Hill is the team's most proven option at the position, it seems like his role in the offense is most primed to grow. In addition, a player like Terry McLaurin will likely look to become a more consistent contributor than last season, in which he hauled in 11 passes for 114 yards.
Another realistic option will come from some of the players who are already household names to plenty of Ohio State fans in Parris Campbell and Mike Weber.
With Campbell being named the H-back for Meyer's offense next season, he will be looking to contribute a large chunk of yardage to the team, similarly to what Curtis Samuel contributed to the offense last season. In becoming the football equivalent of a Swiss army knife at J.T. Barrett's disposal, Campbell is sure to rack up plenty of yards for the team.
Additionally, Weber will be looking to heighten his draft stock and perhaps make a run at the Heisman next season, and one big way he can improve his game is by becoming a more effective pass catcher. Last season, Weber ranked fifth on the team in receptions with 23, but amassed only 91 yards. Becoming a dynamic pass catcher out of the backfield would add another tool to his arsenal while also allowing Barrett a constant option out of the backfield if the receivers can't get separation.
Finally, the Buckeyes might turn to some new faces on the gridiron to find some more production. Social media star Junior wideout Johnnie Dixon has dealt with some injury issues in the past but seems like he could be a solid contributor this season, especially after his stellar performance in the Spring game. The team could also look to players like five-star freshman Trevon Grimes to step up and compete for time on Saturdays.
And if none of these options come to fruition, not only could the Bucks be in trouble, but Urban Meyer may have to take a hard look at Zach Smith, the coach in charge of Zone 6.
Or, if all else fails, just put DeMario McCall out wide and throw it up. He'll find a way to get to it. I'm sure of it.
