Get to know Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage five-star wide receiver Brandon Inniss, who signed his national letter of intent with Ohio State on Wednesday.
Height, Weight: 6-0, 190.
247 Composite Rankings: He’s ranked as the 29th overall prospect, No. 4 wide receiver and eighth-best player out of Florida in the class.
Commitment Date: Inniss committed to Ohio State on June 22.
Other Offers: Alabama, Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Cincinnati, Clemson, FAU, FIU, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Marshall, Miami, Mississippi, Mississippi State, NC State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, South Carolina, Southern Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Toledo, UCF, USC, USF, West Virginia, Wisconsin
How he did in high school: Inniss began his high school career a year earlier than most, playing for the Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) University School varsity team in eighth grade. He also played his freshman season at Unversity School, before transferring to Miami Gardens (Fla.) TRU Prep Academy, where he accounted for nearly 1,000 receiving yards and touchdowns as a sophomore.
Inniss transferred once more during his high school career, spending his final two seasons at American Heritage. His junior season was relatively unorthodox as he had to play some quarterback due to injuries at the position, accounting for 1,253 yards of total offense and 11 touchdowns. Inniss returned to wide receiver during his senior season and accounted for 73 receptions for 1,336 receiving yards and 16 total touchdowns.
Why he committed to Ohio State: Buckeyes wide receiver coach Brian Hartline has picked up quite the reputation as a recruiter and developer of talent and recruits have taken notice, including Inniss. Beyond that, Inniss pointed to the culture inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, as well as a visible path to the field as other draws to the OSU program.
“The family atmosphere,” Inniss told 247Sports. “The fact that I will be coming into a great situation because for the position they want me to play they will be short at that spot, so Coach Day and Coach Hart were telling me I would have to come in and contribute right away, not only telling me that they showed me as well. And the players on the team were already treating me like I’m one of them, not just a recruit.”
Where he fits in for 2023: Not much is expected to change in the Ohio State wide receivers room heading into the 2023 season. While the Buckeyes will lose Jaxon Smith-Njigba — who played sparingly for the Buckeyes in 2022 due to injury — to the NFL Draft, they will return leading receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and slot receiver Emeka Egbuka — who hauled in more than 1,000 receiving yards. Julian Fleming will also likely be back with the Buckeyes, as well as Jayden Ballard — who showed flashes during the 2022 season.
While Ohio State’s wide receivers room will remain very crowded in 2023, Inniss will likely have to earn his role during the offseason. However, he will likely be an option on special teams, a unit where several great Ohio State receivers — including Terry McLaurin and Chris Olave — got their start.
