Losing two wide receivers in the first round of the NFL Draft usually sets a team back. Ohio State is not most college football teams.
Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave left the Buckeyes to begin their professional careers. Yet Brian Hartline's group of wide receivers remains as deep as ever. The leading receiver from a season ago, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, returns to top the depth chart in what is expected to be his final season in Columbus before he, too, embarks on his NFL career.
Those wide receivers will be tested in the first game of the regular season, as the No. 2 Buckeyes prepare to face No. 5 Notre Dame in a matchup with plenty of College Football Playoff implications on the line.
Which wide receivers are expected to have the biggest impact in 2022? Here's a look at the receiver room for Ohio State heading into the season.
MORE: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State's route-running artist, rockets to the top of Buckeyes' star wideouts
Ohio State wide receiver depth chart
1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba
2021 stats: 95 receptions, 1,606 receiving yards, 9 touchdowns
Ohio State had two wide receivers selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Yet it was Smith-Njigba who quickly became redshirt freshman quarterback C.J. Stroud's favorite target last year.
During the early portion of the season, Stroud leaned on the more experienced Wilson and Olave, who had helped lead Ohio State to the national championship the previous season alongside Justin Fields. But as the season wore on, Smith-Njigba, a five-star recruit in the 2020 class, was targeted more and accounted for more of the yardage.
Before the Rose Bowl, where both Wilson and Olave sat out ahead of the draft, Smith-Njigba led the Buckeyes in receptions five times and receiving yards six times. Wilson led the team in the two four times and twice, respectively, while Olave did it three and four times.
Oh yeah, and that one game where neither Wilson nor Olave played? Smith-Njigba set Rose Bowl records with 347 receiving yards, 15 receptions and three receiving touchdowns, while Stroud broke a Rose Bowl record with 573 passing yards and six TD passes.
Ohio State has produced plenty of star wide receivers in its history, but it was Smith-Njigba's 2021 campaign that set program records in receptions (95) and receiving yards (1,606), with the latter representing a conference record.
The dynamic slot receiver had the second-most yards after catch last season at 610, led college football with 4.01 yards per route run and caught nine-of-10 contested catch attempts, per ProFootballFocus. While Smith-Njigba will likely draw plenty more attention now from opposing teams as the clear leader of the wide receiver room, expect him to have a huge season as he prepares to be one of the first receivers off the board in the 2023 NFL Draft.
MORE: Ohio State building all-time WR room with Brian Hartline's recruiting
2. Marvin Harrison Jr.
2021 stats: 11 receptions, 139 yards, 3 touchdowns
Does the name sound familiar? Yes, he is the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison. Marvin Jr. was a standout wide receiver in high school at St. Joseph's Prep, where he was the top target for now-Ohio State backup Kyle McCord on a team that won three straight national championships.
Harrison is a physical wide receiver, standing 6-4, 205 pounds, who was used largely in special teams and as a backup wide receiver in 2021. When he had his lone start, which came in the Rose Bowl, he gave Ohio State fans a glimpse of what could be coming up as he caught six passes for 71 touchdowns, and tied Smith-Njigba's Rose Bowl record with three touchdown grabs.
C.J. Stroud dropped a dime to Marvin Harrison Jr. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/j6uxSJljfU
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 1, 2022
Harrison will be stepping up as one of the starters on the outside, and stands out particularly as a red-zone threat and someone who should be a common target when the Buckeyes drive down the field.
MORE: C.J. Stroud goes first in 2023 NFL mock draft
T-3. Julian Fleming
2021 stats: 12 receptions, 86 yards, 1 touchdown
The biggest question mark among the starters is whether the third wide receiver will be Julian Fleming or Emeka Egbuka. There is probably no wrong decision here.
Coming out of high school at Southern Columbia in Catawissa, Pa., Fleming was the No. 3 recruit in the nation and the top wide receiver, per 247Sports Composite Rankings. He's been slowed down by shoulder injuries since arriving at Ohio State, which has kept him back from taking the leap up to being a starter.
Julian Fleming is off to a nice start for @OhioStateFB 👌 pic.twitter.com/JEhXlzzavM
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 19, 2020
But Fleming is healthy this year and was named one of the Iron Buckeyes by the team, given to players recognized with the best offseasons. Like Harrison, he's a physical wide receiver at 6-2, 205 pounds, and he could be in line for a breakout season if he can stay healthy. He offers versatility to play in the slot or outside, but with Smith-Njigba established as the top option in the slot, expect him to be out wide opposite Harrison during the season.
T-3. Emeka Egbuka
2021 stats: 9 receptions, 191 yards, 0 touchdowns
Why is the former No. 1 wide receiver in the country not guaranteed a starting spot? That would be because of another former No. 1 wide receiver.
Egbuka was the No. 1 receiver in the 2021 class, per 247Sports Composite Rankings, and in limited time at Ohio State has impressed. He was the team's primary kick returner in 2021 and brought back 20 kicks 580 yards for an average of 29 yards per return. And then in the Rose Bowl, he caught three passes for 46 yards, including making this over-the-shoulder grab.
What a catch by Emeka Egbuka 😲 pic.twitter.com/QsxLZ9BTp7
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 1, 2022
Like Fleming, Egbuka is versatile, and could line up in the slot or out wide, though he will likely spend most of his time lined out wide. He's another physical, speedy receiver, who could be a weapon in the short passing game with the ability to take short passes the distance.
MORE: Does Ohio State have the best offense ever?
T-5. Kamryn Babb
2021 stats: N/A
At this point, there are only three more receivers expected to serve in the backup roles. Kamryn Babb, a redshirt senior and former four-star prospect, was a team captain in 2021, but has missed the past three seasons due to knee injuries. Babb will be out again early this season, but if he can stay healthy, he should be in the mix for snaps on the outside.
T-5. Jayden Ballard
2021 stats: 1 reception, 4 yards, 0 touchdowns
A former track athlete, Jayden Ballard could provide the Buckeyes with a speedy backup along the outside and is one of the better true deep threats on the team. He caught a pass for four yards in mop-up duty against Akron last year, but could see more playing time in 2022 as one of the top backups.
T-5. Xavier Johnson
2021 stats: N/A
A former walk-on, Xavier Johnson has played every position asked of him in recent years. He's played wide receiver. He's rushed from under center. He's helped on special teams. He's even played some corner. Heading into the 2022 season, he should be one of the top slot receiver options behind Smith-Njigba.
