Ohio State has the best wide receiver in college football—but does it have a proven No. 2?

Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr wrap up their positional concerns series by examining the three biggest questions facing the Buckeyes’ wide receiver room heading into the 2026 season.

Jeremiah Smith is the unquestioned star, but Ohio State must determine who will emerge behind him. Can Brandon Inniss finally take the next step? Will UTSA transfer Devin McCuin or LSU transfer Kyle Parker become dependable options? And could one of the talented freshmen force his way into the rotation?

Tony and Tom also discuss Ohio State’s expected move toward a quicker passing game, the importance of producing more yards after the catch, and whether the Buckeyes have enough proven playmakers to replace Carnell Tate.

They also explore what a successful freshman season should realistically look like—and why relying on a freshman can be either a warning sign or a sign that the player is simply too talented to keep off the field.

Are these concerns significant enough to limit Ohio State’s offense, or will the Buckeyes find their answers early in the season? Let us know in the comments.

0:00 — Introducing Ohio State’s wide receiver concerns
0:30 — Concern No. 1: Is there a true No. 2 receiver?
1:40 — Replacing Carnell Tate, Quincy Porter, and Mylan Graham
3:26 — Evaluating Devin McCuin and Kyle Parker
4:16 — Concern No. 2: Adapting to a quicker passing game
5:36 — Why yards after the catch must improve
7:02 — How the new approach could affect Julian Sayin
8:00 — Concern No. 3: Will Ohio State rely on a freshman?
8:57 — What a good true freshman season actually looks like
11:08 — The good and bad reasons for playing freshmen
12:22 — Final thoughts on the Buckeyes’ wide receiver room

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Is tight end actually a concern for Ohio State in the supposed “Year of the Tight End”?

Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr examine the biggest questions surrounding the Buckeyes’ tight end room, beginning with the most familiar concern of all: can they consistently run block?

Nate Roberts, Northwestern transfer Hunter Welcing, and Ohio transfer Mason Williams are expected to lead the group, but Ohio State still has to determine which players it can trust in critical short-yardage situations and how quickly the coaching staff can identify its best combinations.

Tony and Tom also discuss whether the room contains a legitimate receiving weapon, why Roberts could become a surprise fan favorite, and whether any of Ohio State’s current tight ends can develop into the kind of NFL prospect the Buckeyes had last season.

They also explore how uncertainty at wide receiver could lead to more two- and three-tight-end formations and whether Ohio State has enough quality depth to make that approach work.

Are the concerns justified, or will 2026 truly become the Year of the Tight End? Let us know in the comments.

0:00 — Introducing Ohio State’s tight end concerns
0:32 — Can the Buckeyes’ tight ends run block?
1:57 — Evaluating Nate Roberts, Hunter Welcing, and Mason Williams
3:14 — How quickly can Ohio State identify its best blocker?
3:45 — Is there a legitimate receiving threat in the room?
5:48 — Why Nate Roberts could become a fan favorite
7:28 — Does Ohio State have an exceptional tight end?
9:08 — Who has the best NFL potential?
10:26 — Could Ohio State use more two- and three-tight-end sets?
11:20 — Do the Buckeyes have enough depth for 13 personnel?
13:00 — Final thoughts on the Year of the Tight End

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Is defensive tackle a legitimate concern for Ohio State heading into the 2026 season?

Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr examine the biggest questions surrounding the Buckeyes’ interior defensive line, beginning with the expected step back at nose tackle following the departure of Kayden McDonald.

Can Will Smith Jr. and UCF transfer John Walker provide enough disruption in the middle? Does Ohio State have the depth necessary to play its preferred fronts? And can Jason Moore finally establish himself as a dependable member of the rotation?

Tony and Tom also discuss the possibility of one of the true freshmen earning meaningful snaps and explain why the development of Eddrick Houston could determine the ceiling of the entire position group.

Houston has shown flashes, but after battling a knee injury last season, Ohio State needs the former five-star prospect to become a more consistent and disruptive presence. The arrival of James Smith may ease some of that pressure, but the Buckeyes still need answers throughout the defensive tackle room.

Are these concerns justified, or does Ohio State already have enough talent and experience to remain strong up front? Let us know in the comments.

0:00 — Introducing Ohio State’s defensive tackle concerns
0:23 — The expected step back at nose tackle
1:59 — Comparing Will Smith Jr. and John Walker to Caden McDonald
4:09 — Does Ohio State have enough defensive tackle depth?
5:30 — What can the Buckeyes expect from Jason Moore?
8:20 — Can Ohio State survive with a four-man rotation?
10:15 — Why Eddrick Houston must take the next step
11:19 — Reasons for optimism about Houston
14:00 — Final thoughts on the defensive tackle room

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Ohio State enters the 2026 season with Julian Sayin firmly established as its starting quarterback, but that does not mean every question has been answered.

Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss the biggest concerns surrounding the Buckeyes’ quarterback room, beginning with Sayin’s effectiveness as a runner. Can he make the correct reads, protect the football, escape pressure, and provide enough of a rushing threat to keep opposing defenses honest?

They also examine the debate over Sayin’s willingness to attack the middle of the field, whether that concern has been overstated, and how Ohio State’s receiving personnel could influence where the football goes. Plus, could Sayin become too reliant on Jeremiah Smith, and how concerning is the Buckeyes’ lack of proven experience behind him?

0:00 — Welcome to the Buckeye Weekly Podcast
0:42 — Introducing the biggest quarterback concerns
1:14 — Concern No. 1: Julian Sayin and the quarterback run game
2:26 — How much does Ohio State actually need Sayin to run?
4:44 — What Will Howard’s rushing numbers can tell us
5:39 — Concern No. 2: Attacking the middle of the field
6:53 — Has the middle-of-the-field concern been overblown?
9:10 — Does Ohio State have the receivers to produce inside?
10:23 — Concern No. 3: Becoming too focused on Jeremiah Smith
10:58 — Why throwing frequently to Smith still makes sense
12:55 — The lack of proven experience at backup quarterback
14:16 — The Buckeye Insiders community
15:12 — Final thoughts

What is your biggest concern about Ohio State’s quarterback room? Let us know in the comments.

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David Gabriel Georges has committed to Tennessee, ending one of the most high-profile Ohio State recruiting battles of the cycle.

Tony Gerdeman and Juck Miletti break down how the Buckeyes lost out, what Tennessee did to win the recruitment, how NIL changed the equation, and whether Ohio State miscalculated the cost of landing one of the nation’s top running back prospects.

They also discuss Carlos Locklyn’s role in the recruitment, Ryan Day’s involvement, the reality of recruiting against Tennessee in the NIL era, whether Ohio State should have pushed harder financially, and where the Buckeyes go from here at running back.

00:00 — Intro
00:12 — Juck reacts to the end of the David Gabriel Georges recruitment
01:48 — Ohio State’s offer and the challenge of battling Tennessee
04:40 — Did Ohio State miscalculate the market?
08:55 — Why Tennessee deserves credit for going all-in
13:10 — Why choosing Tennessee can make sense for a running back
16:55 — Ryan Day, Carlos Locklyn, and Ohio State’s recruiting strategy
20:59 — Did Ohio State ever really have a chance?
24:42 — The locker room impact of a massive running back NIL deal
26:20 — How NIL has changed roster construction
27:48 — Why Ohio State could afford to take this swing
31:00 — Why the loss still stings
33:57 — Big-picture perspective on Ohio State’s 2027 recruiting class
35:41 — Final thoughts and listener reaction

Who do you blame for Ohio State missing on David Gabriel Georges — or was Tennessee simply willing to go further than anyone else? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

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Devin McCuin arrives at Ohio State after three productive seasons at UTSA, but what should Buckeye fans realistically expect from the veteran wide receiver transfer?

Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss McCuin’s past production, how big of a step up he faces at Ohio State, what they saw from him during spring practice, and why his range of possible outcomes may be wider than almost anyone else on the Buckeye offense.

They also break down his potential role opposite Jeremiah Smith, how Chris Henry Jr., Brandon Inniss, Kyle Parker, and other receivers could impact his opportunities, and whether McCuin could become a major piece of Ohio State’s passing game this season.

00:02 — Intro
00:12 — Tom sets up the uncertainty around Devin McCuin
00:37 — Devin McCuin’s UTSA production and Ohio State opportunity
02:20 — Revisiting Tony’s February projection
03:47 — Why McCuin’s range of outcomes is so wide
06:00 — What spring practice did and did not reveal
07:34 — How McCuin performed against better competition at UTSA
09:55 — Tony revises his Devin McCuin prediction
10:26 — Tom goes over on the new projection
11:12 — Could McCuin approach Carnell Tate-type production?
12:18 — Why September may reveal his role
13:00 — Final thoughts and listener question

What kind of season do you expect from Devin McCuin at Ohio State? Drop your catches, yards, and touchdown predictions in the comments.

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In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss three concerns for the Ohio State defensive ends. How big are these concerns and how likely are they to impact the Buckeyes' season? The fellas talk about this and much more.

Warde Manuel Is OUT...Eventually

Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel is stepping down at the end of the year, following the release of a summary from an outside review into the Michigan athletic department’s culture, oversight, and accountability.

Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss what Michigan revealed, what it did not reveal, why Manuel is staying on through the end of the year, and how the report frames issues inside the athletic department. They also look at the long list of Michigan football controversies and suspensions in recent years, the challenge of overseeing a major football program, and whether Manuel is being fairly blamed for what happened on his watch.

00:00 — Intro
00:11 — Tom introduces the “$11 million episode”
00:30 — Warde Manuel is out — eventually
01:03 — Why Manuel is staying through the end of the year
01:34 — What Michigan released from the outside review
02:47 — The report’s positives and vague negatives
03:44 — The “deep and wet well” analogy
04:59 — Failures of oversight and accountability
06:04 — Why Manuel is being asked to help fix the culture
07:38 — Why Michigan may want stability right now
08:38 — Oversight issues inside the football program
10:50 — Michigan’s recent suspension history
11:40 — The coaches, not the players, have been the issue
12:48 — How much blame belongs to Warde Manuel?
15:19 — Carefully worded exits and Michigan’s culture of accountability
16:40 — Why Kyle Whittingham may represent a culture reset
17:46 — Final thoughts and listener question

Is Warde Manuel to blame for Michigan’s recent athletic department issues, or is he being unfairly railroaded? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

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Brandon Inniss is back for another season as a key piece of Ohio State’s offense, but can he become more explosive in year two as a starter?

Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss expectations for Inniss, what he did last season, where his numbers need to improve, and whether Ohio State can get more big plays from the slot receiver position this year.

They also discuss how Inniss compares to past productive Buckeye slot receivers, why yards after the catch will be so important, how Julian Sayin’s progression reads could impact his targets, and whether Inniss can remain a reliable weapon while also increasing his downfield and red-zone production.

00:30 — Intro
00:40 — Tom explains why expectations shows are fun
00:57 — Setting up Brandon Inniss’ year-two expectations
01:29 — Looking back at Inniss’ 2025 production
02:40 — Why 271 receiving yards was lower than expected
04:19 — The yards-per-catch issue
05:15 — Ohio State’s history of productive slot receivers
06:11 — Tony’s projected numbers for Brandon Inniss
06:59 — What would count as a solid season?
08:20 — Could Inniss add more touchdowns?
09:40 — Inniss’ sure hands and punt return value
10:03 — Where Inniss fits in Julian Sayin’s passing progression
11:21 — Final thoughts and listener question
11:54 — Tom sings the show out

What kind of season do you expect from Brandon Inniss? Drop your catches, yards, and touchdown predictions in the comments.

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Which Ohio State offensive players are ready to become breakout names this season?

Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr draft six Buckeyes who could take major steps forward on offense, including players along the offensive line, in the backfield, at wide receiver, and at tight end.

They discuss why Ian Moore may be one of the most important players on the offense, how Legend Bey could become a dangerous weapon, what Chris Henry Jr. could bring to the wide receiver room, and much more.

00:30 — Intro
00:41 — BuckeyeInsiders.com and the PowerPauseKing
01:49 — Setting up six breakout Buckeyes on offense
02:29 — Breakout Pick No. 1: Ian Moore
03:28 — Why Ian Moore could be critical at left tackle
04:09 — Breakout Pick No. 2: Legend Bey
06:08 — How many touches could Legend Bey get?
07:05 — Breakout Pick No. 3: Chris Henry Jr.
08:01 — Why Chris Henry Jr. could become a bigger part of the offense
09:53 — Breakout Pick No. 4
11:14 — Breakout Pick No. 5
13:58 — Breakout Pick No. 6
16:43 — Final thoughts and listener question

Which Buckeye offensive player do you think is most likely to break out this season? Drop your pick in the comments.

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