Of Ohio State’s summer enrollees, perhaps none enter with the amount of hype that surrounds freshman wide receiver Brandon Inniss.
The five-star prospect out of Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage got to Ohio State’s campus for summer workouts a few weeks ago and is already settling in for the start of his college football career.
“I’ve enjoyed it very much,” Inniss said. “I’ve been waiting to get to college for so long. I’m here, I’m ready, it’s the time.”
Inniss isn’t pressed into service his first season in Columbus either. He’ll have plenty of time to learn and grow as a freshman while two of the nation’s best anchor the team’s receiver rotation in Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka.
Julian Fleming is expected to round out the starting unit with Jayden Ballard and Xavier Johnson rotating behind, but Inniss and fellow freshman Carnell Tate could certainly see the field at points this season.
“Not a lot of guys get that opportunity with Marvin and Emeka,” Inniss said. “Learning from those guys daily makes me a better player and I can’t wait to take over.”
One of the top things he’s learned thus far from the two star receivers and wide receivers coach Brian Hartline is how to drill down on the finer points of his game.
“(I’ve learned about) being detail-oriented, coming in and doing the right things every time,” Inniss said. “And working when others aren’t looking.”
He’s working to become a more well-rounded wideout as the season draws near.
“Right now I’m focused on learning the playbook so if anybody needs me to come in and step up, I’ll be able to be ready,” Inniss said. “Then fixing everything I can, getting my feet better, my hands better, speed, everything.”
Seeing the tradition of Ohio State wide receivers before them is a motivating force for Inniss as well. He feels confident in the future of the position between him, Tate and the other pass freshmen pass catchers learning and growing in year one.
“It makes me very determined to live up to the expectations and things like that,” Inniss said. “I feel like I’m able to do it, and once I get going no one’s going to be able to stop me, Carnell, Noah, Bryson, all the receivers that came in in 2023.”
