Another freshman star to be might be ready to contribute for the Ohio State Buckeyes, and Ryan Day sounds like he’s hoping for it
It looks like Brian Hartline has struck gold again.
Last season showed the Ohio State Buckeyes just how difficult it is to grind through a 16-game season and win the College Football Playoff. Depth is more important than ever with the extended schedule and increased wear and tear on players. Injuries can pop up at any time, and the Buckeyes experienced that last season on the offensive line with Josh Simmons and Seth McLaughlin.
This season, Ohio State hasn’t been impacted by the injury bug, and that’s been a huge win through its 7-0 start. Still, injuries can strike at any moment — and where they occur could be impactful. The Buckeyes haven’t always relied on much rotation once they get into the thick of the season, but they’ve done it more this year. In their last outing against the Wisconsin Badgers, a freshman wide receiver and former five-star recruit looked the part.
Ryan Day gives his take on Quincy Porter after his impact against Wisconsin
“It was good to see him — that was really his first big action,” Ryan Day said on Tuesday. “I don’t think he flinched. That’s [really] exciting. And I think Carnell [Tate] and Jeremiah [Smith] need that. We need that depth.”
Ohio State lost Emeka Egbuka from last season’s team, but returned its top two receivers outside of him with Smith and Tate. Brandon Inniss may be taking a step forward after scoring his first touchdown of the season against the Badgers, when he hauled in three catches. Still, Inniss has just 113 receiving yards through seven games out of the slot, and the Buckeyes need more production there. As a vocal leader and team captain, Inniss brings plenty to the table — but they’ll need him to step up a bit more, or someone else will have to.
Porter made two catches for 30 yards against Wisconsin, marking the second game this season in which he’s recorded a reception. The 6-foot-4 freshman has a large catch radius and was ranked as the No. 4 wide receiver in the class of 2025. He’s one player who could step up for the Buckeyes and emerge as their No. 4 wideout down the stretch this season — or perhaps even higher.
Mylan Graham and Bryson Rodgers are other players who could be called upon over the next few games. Ohio State faces Penn State, Purdue, UCLA, Rutgers, and Michigan to close out the season. The Buckeyes will have opportunities to rotate depth in at least a couple of those matchups, and a player to watch develop further is Porter.
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