Ohio State could use two different kick returners on Saturday.
On Wednesday, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said Inniss had earned reps as a kick returner in practice this week. Both Inniss and Ballard will be options to return kicks in the Marshall game on Saturday, though Day declined to name one of them the starter.
"We got Brandon back there a little this week, so we'll look at the film today. We just did some kickoff return (and) he and JB were back there," Day said. "We'll kind of evaluate it after today and see who we decide to put back there. They'll probably both still return kicks, but (as for) who takes the first one, we'll probably see tomorrow."
Ballard entered the season as the Buckeyes' No. 1 kick returner after earning some reps behind Xavier Johnson in 2022 and 2023. However, to start the second half against Western Michigan, the senior wide receiver elected to fair catch a kickoff that bounced, forcing the Ohio State offense to start its drive on the 6-yard line. That decision made Day re-evaluate who will return kickoffs for the Buckeyes moving forward.
“We think that Jayden Ballard had a really good offseason,” Day said last week. “He was recognized as a gold individual during the offseason, which is significant in our program. So we’ve given him the opportunity to return kicks and a couple of punts here. But the number one thing is taking care of the football. So that has to happen.
“We believe in who Jayden is, but at the end of the day, we’ve got to take care of the football. So we are gonna evaluate it this week and make sure that we’re doing the right thing.”
While Inniss has returned eight punts for 66 yards as Ohio State's punt returner this season, the sophomore receiver has yet to return a kick in his college career. When asked whether Inniss could handle responsibilities as both Ohio State's No. 1 kick returner and punt returner, Day provided a confident response.
"Yes, I think he can," Day said Wednesday.
Ohio State and Marshall will face off at noon on Saturday. FOX will broadcast the game with Big Noon Kickoff in attendance.
