Ohio State wide receivers coach Zach Smith had an interesting vision for how he intended to incorporate all of the talented players in his position group.
“We could go about seven wide and it would be a heck of a deal,” Smith joked last week at the team’s media day.
Wouldn't that be nice? Of course it would.
But for obvious reasons, Smith's dream scenario is impossible. His point, however, was that he feels quite confident about the depth that currently resides in the Buckeyes' wide receiver room.
Here is the list of names at the wide receiver position that have been mentioned at one point or another throughout fall camp by either Smith or Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer: Noah Brown, Corey Smith, Parris Campbell, Terry McLaurin, James Clark, Johnnie Dixon, Austin Mack, Binjimen Victor, Torrance Gibson and K.J. Hill. That’s a total of 10 and that list doesn’t even include hybrid wide receiver/running backs, Curtis Samuel and Dontre Wilson. If you count those guys, the number goes up to 12.
And while most of those names have not seen much playing time in the past for Ohio State, all are fully in the mix to see the field in 2016. The only issue with that is it’s not exactly realistic — or possible — for 10, let alone 12, players from one position group to play.
So, it begs the question: How many wide receivers can the Buckeyes actually play this season?
“I’ve always said in recruiting and to my guys that I want to play six and that I have six starters," Smith said. "That’s what I had in 2014 when we were the deepest group that we’ve had here and that’s where we need to be.”
“I’ve always said in recruiting and to my guys that I want to play six and that I have six starters. That’s what I had in 2014 when we were the deepest group that we’ve had here and that’s where we need to be.”– Ohio State WRs coach Zach Smith
“Right now, I know we’re going to have six. I’ve never played more than that consistently, but if they’re all performing and deserve it then I will.”
There you have it: Six is the target number for Smith. That's his ideal situation and, as he mentioned, it's the number Ohio State used throughout its national championship season back in 2014.
That's the number he wants. Any additions to the rotation are far from a guarantee.
Brown, a redshirt sophomore, is going to be one of the wideouts who plays. He was slated to be a starter last season before suffering a season-ending leg injury in fall camp. He’ll be in the mix, for sure, and is likely to be the Buckeyes’ No. 1 wide receiver.
After that, however, are where the decisions lie and that's where things get challenging for Smith. He has the primary duty of determining what receivers will play and how many snaps each will get.
There are a number of factors that go into that decision and there may not really be a clear-cut solution. Smith said he must take into account everything when it comes to evaluating talent within his room and that certain players might be better for certain situations, as well.
“As a general answer, we want six that can execute the functions that we need them to execute,” Smith said, “but if one guy has a specific skill set that is elite we’re going to try and get him in that situation more than anyone.”
Ultimately, though, Meyer, Smith and Co. will make a decision on who is a regular contributor to the rotation and who might be tasked primarily with special-teams duty.
This likely won't be completely sorted out by Ohio State's opener Sept. 3, either. It's a fluid situation that's likely to go on all season.
“It’s all going to be based on what’s earned and their performance,” Smith said. “I’m just going to play the guys that deserve to play. The best players will touch the ball and if you’re not as good as them you need to get better.
“There’s no other way to do it. It’s a great problem to have.”
