Eric Boggs
Brandon Inniss has been patient. At a school like Ohio State, where the wide receiver room is consistently stocked with future first-round picks, waiting your turn isn’t a knock—it’s part of the process. And now, entering the 2025 season, the former five-star from South Florida finally gets his chance to shine.
Ohio State wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator Brian Hartline has made no secret of his belief in Inniss’ potential. Speaking to the media during fall camp, Hartline said, “Brandon’s been very consistent. He’s taken a huge step from spring to now. That’s not always easy, and he’s worked his tail off to make it happen. His body has transformed. His knowledge of the playbook and defenses has improved. I think he’s ready to take that next step, and we’re going to need him.”
Inniss agrees. He’s been preparing for this moment since he arrived in Columbus. After contributing in limited fashion as a freshman—highlighted by his touchdown against Purdue—he’s ready to be a core piece in a receiver group that includes Carnell Tate and true freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith.
“I feel blessed, man,” Inniss said Friday. “I stayed down, I waited my turn, and I feel like it’s finally here. I know what I can do. I know my teammates believe in me, and I’m ready for the moment.”
Ask Inniss what he can do and he won’t hesitate: “I can do everything. That’s the beauty of it. I can play the slot, I can play outside, I can block, catch, I can even throw—I played quarterback my junior year.” Though he’ll primarily line up in the slot this season, Ohio State plans to move him around to take advantage of his versatility.
But this version of Brandon Inniss is different—stronger, faster, more mentally prepared. “My body fat has gone down a lot,” he said. “I’ve changed my body with our nutritionist Kayla. She’s been on me, and I can’t thank her enough. I feel faster. I PR’d everything this summer. I feel amazing right now.”
Mentally, too, he’s turned a corner. “When you’re a backup, that was hard for me. I’ve never been a backup my whole life. So coming in, it was like, okay, now I’ve got to learn and grow. But now I know I’m going to be out there, and that changes your mindset.”
Inniss is quick to credit the people around him who kept him grounded when transferring might have seemed like the easier route. “I thought about it,” he admitted. “But I knew if I stayed here, developed here, and waited my turn, it’d pay off. Guys from Ohio State get drafted. I always said, same stats, same talent—if one guy’s from Ohio State, he’s getting picked first.”
That loyalty and maturity are part of what make Inniss a leader in a young but talented receiver room. While Tate and Smith are more reserved, Inniss naturally leans vocal and energetic. “Last year I was vocal, even when I wasn’t starting. Now that I am, I feel like they depend on me a lot to speak up,” he said. “If we’re not where we need to be in practice, I say something. I know how to push JJ [Jeremiah Smith]. I’ve known him since I was nine. I know how great he can be.”
Inniss’ leadership was evident when he spoke about pushing for higher intensity in practice and making sure the team’s mindset matches its lofty goals. “We’re trying to do things an Ohio State team hasn’t done before,” he said. “We want to go back-to-back [national titles]. That takes more. I’ve got to set the tone.”
He’s also not letting go of his special teams impact just yet. While his offensive workload will increase, he still wants to be on the field as much as possible. “Whether it’s kick return, punt return, trying to block a kick—whatever the team needs me to do, I’ll do it.”
Inniss understands the gravity of this moment—not just for him but for the trio of him, Carnell Tate, and Jeremiah Smith. The three were 7-on-7 teammates before becoming Buckeyes. Now, all are expected to start together.
“It’s surreal,” he said. “We all took our visit here together. We’ve grown up together. To be able to play on this stage together, at the same time, it’s amazing.”
Whether he’s leading in the locker room, torching secondaries in the slot, or mentoring young receivers on the rise, Brandon Inniss looks and sounds like a Buckeye ready for the spotlight. His patience wasn’t passive—it was preparation. And now that the lights are on, he’s ready to deliver.
