Ranking Ohio State's 2025 Playmakers: No. 4 - WR Brandon Inniss

Brandon Inniss is a true junior wide receiver who once averaged 58 yards per catch for an entire season as a Buckeye. (The year was 2023 and he had one catch for 58 yards on the season.)

No. 4 – Brandon Inniss – Junior Wide Receiver

The Ohio State depth chart has held Brandon Inniss back a bit during his career — but so did enrolling in June as a true freshman in 2023. His freshman year featured sparse playing time and just one catch — albeit a 58-yard touchdown.

As the No. 2 slot receiver last year, Inniss found himself more involved, but it was still difficult to find snaps given the importance of starter Emeka Egbuka and the desire to play two tight ends at the same time. He finished fourth among the receivers last year with 14 catches for 176 yards. His lone touchdown catch last season came on a misdirection drag route at Penn State.

Inniss was also the Buckeyes’ main punt returner last year. He averaged 7.6 yards on his 14 returns. Given his comfort with the job, it would seem to be a matter of time before he hits a big one.

Statistical History

What He Does Well

Brandon Inniss has cut some weight and worked on speed and quickness. That will obviously help him out in a number of ways this year. He’s always been a strong, quick runner who can get upfield quickly. Catching the football has never been an issue, whether as a receiver or returner.

Inniss hasn’t really gotten to show everything that he can do, but if he is targeted like a starting receiver, there won’t be much left to the imagination. He runs great routes, which will leave him in advantageous matchups against inside corners and safeties. He has put the work in to be a bigger factor after the catch as well.

Whether people realize it or not, the Ohio State slot receiver is one of the premier positions in college football. Parris Campbell, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Emeka Egbuka have all manned the spot very well. Inniss is the next in line.

Brandon Inniss In 2025

Brandon Inniss is expected to be the No. 1 slot receiver for the Buckeyes this year, but he also has the ability and maturity to play outside.

“I feel like my game has definitely enhanced a lot,” Inniss said this spring. “I became a lot smarter. I’m playing faster. I lost weight, so I’m definitely playing a lot faster. Everything’s slowing down. I know every position. I know the defenses. [Defensive coordinator Matt] Patricia is doing a good job trying to mess us up, but I still know what they’re doing.”

Inniss has yet to run the ball at Ohio State, but that will soon change. He will be involved in jet sweeps and he has the strength to break arm tackles. He may not average 17 yards per catch, but neither did Emeka Egbuka. The middle of the field should be a playground for Inniss this season. There is still some question of how explosive he can be this season, but he has focused on being able to answer those questions in the affirmative.

The average season for the starting slot receiver at Ohio State since Ryan Day arrived in 2017 is 67 receptions for 907 yards and eight touchdowns.

What They Are Saying

“It feels amazing. I feel like finally my time is now, and I feel like I’ve been patient. I never questioned the decision I made to come here. I knew how to stick through hard times, and I feel like it’s finally paying off. I feel like now I’m seeing the vision from what Coach Hart used to tell me in recruiting.” — Brandon Inniss on his patience paying off in 2025.

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