Quick Hits: Brandon Inniss Feels His Time is Now for Ohio State, Jeremiah Smith Calls Quincy Porter “The Next One”

Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate return as superstar starters from the Buckeyes' 2024 national championship team, and Brandon Inniss is viewed as a prime breakout candidate starting alongside them. Each receiver in Hartline's room met with the media on Tuesday, and Inniss expressed confidence that his time is now to make a name for himself.

Smith, viewed as perhaps the best player in the country regardless of position entering his sophomore year, views incoming freshman Quincy Porter as "the next one" at Ohio State whenever he, Tate or Inniss vacate their roles. Bryson Rodgers and Mylan Graham are each trying to take strides as they battle for reps behind the starting trio.

Cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. also met with the media on Tuesday as he prepares for a starting role in 2025, one that he says he'll embrace whether at outside cornerback or nickel.

Jeremiah Smith

“Big, tall receiver just like me. Came in, kept his head down, just working. I’m happy to see his future at Ohio State. Probably gonna be the next one up, for sure.”– Jeremiah Smith on Quincy Porter

• Smith has taken reps in the slot this spring. Should he continue to see reps there in preseason camp and during the regular season, he said it could give Ohio State mismatches in the passing game. “It’s a mismatch, for sure, going against safeties and linebackers and stuff like that. It would definitely be a mismatch come game time against teams in the season.”
• When asked to break down Ohio State’s quarterback competition, Smith said, “I can’t break that down. That’s above my pay grade. That’s Coach Ryan Day, Coach Hartline and Coach Billy Fessler’s job, not mine.” A reporter then asked, “What is your pay grade?” Smith laughed and answered, “I don’t know.”
• Smith doesn’t think he’ll “ever get used to” the attention he received during and after Ohio State’s championship season (see: the crowd that surrounded him during Student Appreciation Day). “It’s a blessing, for sure.”
• Despite catching 76 passes for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns as a freshman, Smith sees room for improvement in his game. “Definitely can improve. Always room for improvement.”
• Smith has been impressed with Devin Sanchez this spring. “Big, long corner who can run. Physical. He got it all. I can’t wait to see the things he do this year.”

Brandon Inniss

“I feel like finally my time is now. I’ve been patient and I’ve never questioned the decision I made to come here. I knew how to stick with the hard times and it’s finally paying off.”– Brandon Inniss on being in line for a big role in his third season

• Inniss said he’s “seeing the vision” this spring of what Brian Hartline used to sell to him as a recruit in terms of what he can bring to Ohio State’s offense.
• Inniss said this is probably his first spring where he’s been fully healthy and he’s taken advantage of it.
• Inniss said his game has been enhanced from a season ago because he’s gotten smarter and faster. Part of the speed increase has been from Inniss slimming down, as he sits at 201 pounds.

Carnell Tate

“It’s just the little things you’re trying to pick up on to improve your game because that’s what takes you to the next level, the little things.”– Carnell Tate on what he's trying to improve in year three

• On how he’s stepped up as a leader this spring: “I’ve just been able to voice my opinion more talking to the guys, pushing more guys, being the voice. We lost a lot of the seniors, those were the voice of the team, so we need more guys to step up and I’m willing to do that.” Tate said he “learned everything” about how to be a leader from Emeka Egbuka.
• Tate says Brandon Inniss “brings the energy every day. So whenever there’s no energy, here comes Brandon bringing more energy.”
• On Brian Hartline becoming offensive coordinator: “I’m happy for him. He finally got the keys. He’s finally going to be able to probably throw us the ball more, the wideouts.”

Bryson Rodgers

“I’m extremely comfortable. Super confident in my ability and what I can do. I’m building trust with my quarterbacks.”– Bryson Rodgers on how his spring has gone so far

• Rodgers said he’s taking on more of a leadership role for some younger players at Ohio State this season, which involves taking them out to eat, taking them to the facility, practicing on the Monarc with them and just getting to know them.
• Rodgers said he’s worked hard to show OSU’s quarterbacks that “No. 13” is a reliable option on the field.
• Brian Hartline has lined Rodgers up at different positions all over the field so far this spring, including Z, X and H. Rodgers says he’s ready to make a play whenever his number is called from wherever.

Mylan Graham

“I feel way more confident. I feel like when I first got here, throughout the fall camp and summer, stuff was being rushed, just going one day at a time. But I feel like now, through the spring, everything has slowed down.”– Mylan Graham on the difference between his first and second season

• On what he expects to bring to the field in 2025: “Just explosiveness. Whatever I can bring to the team, whether it’s offense, special teams, just energy. … Whatever the team needs, I can provide.”
• Graham said Carnell Tate has become a more vocal leader this offseason.
• There wasn’t anything specific that made Graham choose his No. 5 jersey, he “just kind of liked it.” He added that he’s aware of the legacy tied into it through former OSU widedout Garrett Wilson.
• On what he took away from last season: “Just understanding how the games go, how the college players (operate), the tempo, how fast it is.”

Quincy Porter

“It’s definitely a great accomplishment, but now I’m more focused on (what’s) next up. Still preparing and attacking every day the same.”– Quincy Porter on being the first freshman to shed his black stripe this spring

• On his first few months at Ohio State: “Ups and downs. A lot of work, and just getting familiar, getting comfortable. It’s a great environment.”
• After flexing a great catch radius during the Buckeyes’ Student Appreciation Day practice on Saturday, Porter said the key to utilizing his 6-foot-4 frame for a big catch radius has been learning how to maneuver his body properly.
• Porter feels he can contribute as a freshman. “I can do it. Anybody can do it. It’s just, putting the work in.”

Phillip Bell

“Coach Hart, if he offers you a scholarship, you can’t pass up that opportunity. He’s sent so many guys to the league in the past years, first-round guys past four or five years and he’s going to do it again this year with Emeka Egbuka and he’s just going to keep doing it as these years come. So I’m trying to be one of those guys.”– Phillip Bell on why he chose Ohio State

• On playing for Brian Hartline: “I feel like in the recruiting process, he kind of lets you know how he wants to coach you and stuff and I feel like when you get here, it’s a whole nother level. He’s going to keep coaching you up, he’s going to be hard on you, he’s going to tell you what you’re doing good, he’s going to tell you what you’re doing wrong, and he’s just going to push you to be your best.”
• Bell said Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss have “for sure” been leaders in the receiver room. “Whether I call them, we’re in there in the film room together, we’re on the Jugs; I’m asking them about this route, how I can run it better, I’m asking them how I run this route on this play, just many different things. I feel like those guys, they’re like big brothers and all they’ve done is help me.”
• Bell said he’s been “moving all over” playing each of the different receiver positions in Ohio State’s offense.

De'zie Jones

“I’m going to get to show what I’ve got to the team and what I’ve been working on all spring. They’re going to see a better me than when I came out of high school.”– De'zie Jones on what he expects to showcase at Ohio State's spring game Saturday

• Jones says he’s improved in “every aspect” since he’s arrived on campus.
• Jones says it sometimes takes more courage to play in the slot than on the outside because you’re often running routes in the middle of the field and come face-to-face with linebackers and safeties, and also have to worry about where the linemen are lining up.
• Jones says his favorite part about playing in the slot is having more space to work with.
• The biggest adjustment Jones faced when transitioning to Ohio State was learning the Buckeyes’ playbook.

Bodpegn Miller

“I grew up a Buckeye fan since I was like eight years old ... I always cheered for the team, but I never really positioned myself that I could be playing for them. And now that I am, it’s like a dream come true.”– Bodpegn Miller on what it means to him to be a Buckeye

• Miller said the transition from playing quarterback in high school to wide receiver at Ohio State has been challenging in his first spring, but he’s “learning a lot” and “getting better every day.” He said Hartline told him the transition would be challenging, speaking from Hartline’s own experience of playing quarterback in high school, but Miller says his experience playing quarterback helps him with knowing what everyone on the offense is doing.
• Miller said the upperclassman receivers have done a great job of helping him learn, “especially Carnell Tate.” He said Tate “knows every play, every little detail.”
• The best attributes he brings to Ohio State: “My size, my speed, I can take the top off the defense, and I can play it tough and physical.”

Jermaine Mathews Jr.

“I just want to be on the field. Wherever I’m at, I’m gonna give it my all.”– Jermaine Mathews Jr. on where he can help Ohio State in 2025

• Mathews said Davison Igbinosun is a bigger trash talker than he is. However, Mathews warned opposing receivers, “When I’m on, I’m on. Watch out.”
• Mathews described his game as “very instinctive” and “fast.” He added: “I think I play physical. I think I’m an all-around corner. I can play off, play press. I can come up and tackle. I can make plays on the ball. I think I’m an all-around corner.”
• Matthews said Ohio State has the most talented cornerback room in the nation. “It’s BIA for a reason.”
• On who’s been standing out in Ohio State’s receiver room this spring: “I like Carnell Tate. I’ve been seeing a lot of Mylan Graham. I like Mylan Graham a lot.” Mathews called Graham “smooth,” adding that he’s “a good player.”