The Ohio State Buckeyes are facing an unusual situation at wide receiver in 2026. Ohio State has typically had multiple proven players at the position on its roster, and that simply isn’t the case this season.

 Jeremiah Smith is the only returning receiver with a real track record in Columbus. Beyond him, the Buckeyes are relying on guys who produced elsewhere and guys who haven’t done it yet at Ohio State. That dynamic has made fall camp all the more important, and one freshman continues to generate buzz. 

Brock Boyd is making noise weeks ahead of the season 

Brian Hartline did Ohio State one last big favor before leaving, and that was bringing in the class of 2026 to Columbus, headlined by 5-star wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. Henry isn’t the only freshman catching attention during fall camp, though. Back in the spring, it was Brock Boyd, the former 3-star recruit from Texas, who was the most talked-about freshman because of how quickly he hit the ground running in Columbus, andit’s still the case 

Senior cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. was asked about Boyd on Thursday, and he didn’t hold back.

“Brock is just, shi*, Brock is different,” Mathews stated on Thursday. “I don’t know, It’s something about Brock. He’s different, I love Brock. 

When it comes to the freshman class as a whole, Mathews is very high on them.

“I really like all the receivers. The freshmen, they’re probably the best freshman players I’ve ever seen. Freshman, they are nice. Receivers are always going to be receivers here. I’ve done seen a lot of them coming through here. I think they just give us work every day. They’re just special,” Mathews added.

Brock Boyd’s role could be there Day 1 

Boyd is a 6-foot-1, 196-pound receiver who is going to play for the Buckeyes this year, likely out of the slot. Even if it starts as a depth role, he’s going to get on the field. He’s made that much clear already early in his Ohio State tenure. Despite not being a coveted recruit, Hartline pushed to flip him from his commitment to TCU, and we’re seeing why now.

Henry, Boyd, and fellow freshman Jerquaeden Guilford are all going to be a huge part of Ohio State’s receiver room going forward. If it’s not this year, then next year. Hartline went out with a strong final class in Columbus, and Boyd wasn’t a headliner name coming in. His teammates are speaking out about him now, though, and that’s worth paying attention to.