If the way Ryan Day, Emeka Egbuka and Denzel Burke talked about Brandon Inniss at Big Ten Media Days is any indication, the sophomore wide receiver should not be overlooked as a player who could be a major factor in Ohio State’s offense this season.
There might not be a starting spot available for Inniss in Ohio State’s receiving corps this year. Egbuka has spent the past two years playing primarily in the slot, the same position Inniss is expected to play primarily for the Buckeyes. Fellow sophomore Carnell Tate seems like a lock for a starting job after he received extensive praise from Ohio State coaches and players throughout his freshman year. And it’s hard to imagine Jeremiah Smith not being an immediate starter with how much he’s been talked up in his first offseason as a Buckeye.
Inniss, however, has drawn consistent praise from Day since this spring, when Day described Inniss as “the guy you want on your team” because of his fierce competitiveness. He offered similar praise of Inniss during his press conference at Big Ten Media Days when asked who he thought could step up to be Ohio State’s fourth receiver this year.
“You feel Brandon Inniss when you're out there,” Day said.
Inniss suffered a setback during spring practices when he was sidelined by a hairline fracture in his right foot, but he told the Columbus Dispatch earlier this month that he’s back to full strength. He’s impressed Egbuka with how hard he’s worked to get back from that injury and ensure he’ll be ready to go when preseason camp opens later this week.
“Brandon has done a phenomenal job all offseason,” Egbuka said. “He's been rehabbing a ton from his little injury that he had going on, but he's doing really well for himself.”
Egbuka agreed with Day’s opinion that Inniss is someone you notice any time he’s on the field.
“Yeah, I think that accurately describes it,” Egbuka said. “He's a huge energy source. He's always very hype, brings the juice on every play. And he's a super high-effort guy. 110% on every single play he's in. So I think that's kind of what Coach Day is alluding to.”
Inniss has captured the attention of the defensive backs lining up across from him, too. Burke said Inniss is one of the top trash-talkers in the receiver unit, along with Tate, and is impressed by the skill set Inniss has shown on the practice field.
“He'll make spectacular catches,” Burke said. “Good route runner, good speed, physical and quick.”
Inniss’ talent has never been in question. The only composite five-star recruit in Ohio State’s 2023 class, Inniss was ranked as the No. 5 wide receiver and No. 35 overall prospect in that recruiting cycle. The expectation since before he arrived on campus has been that he will become one of OSU’s next elite receivers sooner than later.
He didn’t play much as a freshman, but his one catch of the season showed his high upside as he turned a deep ball from Devin Brown into a 58-yard touchdown against Purdue.
Brandon Inniss takes his first career catch 58 yards for a touchdown. pic.twitter.com/UOU3A9FF00
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 14, 2023
Because he wasn’t an early enrollee, Inniss wasn’t as ready for substantial playing time as a freshman as Tate was last year or as Smith might be this year. But he’s shown his coaches and teammates that he’s ready to make a bigger impact both on and off the field this year, already earning a spot on the team’s leadership committee.
“It shows that the guys on the team are seeing some leadership skills out of him,” Egbuka said. “And his ability to step up into a role that we need him because while I feel comfortable in my leadership role with the wide receivers, there's some young guys he can bring along, too.”
What exactly Inniss’ role will look like in Ohio State’s offense this season remains uncertain, but it would come as a surprise if he doesn’t see regular playing time in the receiver rotation. He’s also a candidate to contribute in the return game, particularly at punt returner, and Day named Inniss as someone who could also see action at running back if needed.
Inniss said this spring that he just wants to make an impact any way he can.
“Anything I can do to get on the field,” Inniss said. “I'll definitely return punts, kick returns, anything I need to do to play.”
