Unexpected Ohio State football newcomer is clearly already turning heads in a big way this spring
Big news around the Buckeyes football program as an unexpected freshman has already took a big step with Ohio State.
The Ohio State Buckeyes have a lot of new faces on their roster this year with 51 newcomers to be exact. Between the freshman class and transfer portal additions, the Buckeyes will look a bit different in 2026.
Ohio State has had freshmen contributing at high levels more frequently recently it seems. A couple of years ago it was WR Jeremiah Smith, last year it was RB Bo Jackson, and CB Devin Sanchez.
So far this spring, there’s a freshman who has already taken a big step. It’s not top recruit WR Chris Henry Jr. either.
Brock Boyd is clearly already turning heads at Ohio State
Wideout Brock Boyd is the first member of the current freshman class to lose their black stripe this spring, which officially welcomes him into the brotherhood that is Ohio State football. Boyd is one of the lower-rated recruits in the class, and a good reminder so far around the fact that recruiting rankings aren’t always everything.
Boyd was already noted to be ahead of schedule and is clearly standing out to the Buckeyes. The 6-foot-1 wideout was the No. 729 player nationally and the No. 100-ranked wide receiver, according to 247 Sports’ Composite.
“He’s a great, you know, what makes Brock truly a good football player is his football IQ first and foremost,” Ohio State wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton said over the weekend. “As a young guy, he’s truly instinctive [and] he understands conceptual football. You can tell that he comes from a family. His dad is a high school football coach. So he comes from a family where they live, eat, and breathe football.”
Boyd already losing his black stripe is a good sign for him at least being a special team’s contributor in 2026. Cracking the wide receiver rotation will be tough with guys like Jeremiah Smith, Brandon Inniss, as well as transfers Devin McQuinn, and Kyle Parker ahead of him. Henry is expected to be a key wideout for the Buckeyes as well, even if he didn’t lose his black stripe before Boyd.
Coming from a strong Texas high school football process at Southlake Carroll, Boyd was a standout there with 1,868 receiving yards and 19 receiving touchdowns as a senior.
With the black stripe out of the way, Boyd is officially a Buckeye with a bright future ahead.
