Mylan Graham Breaks Down Future Role At Ohio State

Anymore, it feels as though Ohio State wide receivers coach Brian Hartline selects the prospects he wants from around the country rather than the recruits picking Ohio State.

One of the two five-stars at the position Hartline already has secured in his class of 2024 shed some light on how it feels to be hand-selected by the former NFL pass catcher Monday at the Buckeyes’ second of five one-day recruiting camps.

“It feels great,” New Haven, Ind. wideout Mylan Graham said. “The track record, guys like Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Marvin Harrison, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, it just feels great to be picked. To know that I can be up there with those guys, great names, all first-round picks.”

The 6-1, 170-pound recipient of aerial football attacks already has a clear vision of his role in Columbus, peering into what it will be like to play under Hartline and strive for a first-round NFL Draft selection. 

Of the players mentioned above, Graham relates the most with Wilson’s game. The two are similar athletes, to be certain, with Wilson listed at 6-0, 192 on the New York Jets’ roster and possessing a fantastic burst. Graham’s top-end speed is among the best in the country, too. He’s ranked as the No. 17 overall prospect nationally and No. 4 wide receiver.

“Personally, I think (I’m most like) Garrett Wilson, with his ability to play inside and outside and his freakish athletic ability and great hands,” Graham said.

Wilson played “Z” receiver at Ohio State, the more explosive, isolated, downfield of the team’s two outside receiver positions. That’s where Graham’s conversations have been with Hartline about where he’ll slide into the Buckeyes’ rotation.

Still, his speed and eye-popping ability to run after the catch could make him an excellent candidate to play the slot as well. Wilson, in his own right, played in the slot his second season in Columbus and averaged 90.4 receiving yards per game that year.

“Every time (Hartline and I) talk about it, he’s like, ‘I peg you as an outside guy, but I don’t want to force you to the outside,” Graham said. “I could see both (you and Jeremiah Smith) running in and out. But he said I’m pretty good as a Z, single-side wide receiver, come in motion, things like that.”

Speaking of the other five-star Hartline holds a pledge from, Opa Locka (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna Prep’s Smith (6-3, 198) has been building a bond with Graham. The duo could form a lethal tandem as their collegiate careers progress. 

“We talked a lot at this recent NIL event in Nashville, we’ve got our bond going together,” Graham said. “Then I played 7-on-7 with his team in Nashville. So our bond is growing closer and closer.”

Rumors have swirled about Smith since he started taking visits to other schools, but he has reaffirmed his commitment several times via Twitter and he took an official visit to Columbus this past weekend. Graham, for his part, said he’s “pretty confident” Smith remains a Buckeye.

Regardless, for now Graham is zeroed in on his final high school season and studying up for the days when he’s playing in scarlet and gray.

“I’ve been watching a lot of Julian Fleming, because that’s what Hartline really wants me to be, a Z,” Graham said. “Then some of Emeka (Egbuka), because he said I can rotate inside and outside. So those are the two guys I’ve been watching.”