Will another freshman be ready to take on a significant role on Saturday for Ohio State?
Columbus, Ohio — This season, the Ohio State football team has already had to rely on true freshmen in certain situations, and it looks like it’s getting ready to do so again on Saturday against Rutgers.
When Malik Hartford replaced safety Josh Proctor in the starting lineup against Youngstown State, it was evident that he was not prepared for such a high level of responsibility so early in the season. He might be prepared to do so at this point with a little more time.
As he shares WR3 responsibilities with Xavier Johnson, wide receiver Carnell Tate has been asked to perform similarly. Although he had already demonstrated throughout the season that he was worthy of significant playing time, this prolonged opportunity while Emeka Egbuka was out has allowed him to shine. He has 12 catches for 197 yards and a touchdown on 165 snaps.
Denzel Burke was hurt, so Jermaine Mathews, a cornerback, had to fill in against Penn State. Early in the season, he showed promise—he even scored a pick-six against Western Kentucky. However, he demonstrated how bright the future is in OSU’s cornerback room by playing well beyond his years against Penn State, allowing just three catches for 29 yards on seven targets.
Coach Ryan Day acknowledges that at some point this season, both may be counted on. In addition, Hartford might return following the brief absence of Lathan Ransom due to injury and the loss of Ja’Had Carter due to a lower body ailment.
At this point in the season, Ohio State might need to draw on its depth to get through the last month of the regular season. It’s also around this time of year that freshmen begin to shine in significant situations.
Day stated in a radio interview with 97.1 The Fan, “Some of our freshmen who have been here since last January are no longer freshmen anymore and that’s kind of the blueprint.” “We bring them here in the winter, put them through spring practice, and try to get as many reps in the first half of the season as we can, knowing that things will inevitably come up.
“A number of guys, including Carnell, Malik Hartford, and Jermaine Mathews, will need to step onto the field and perform well for us come November.”
Hall of Famer speaks highly of Ohio State receiver:
Marvin Harrison Jr. possesses many of the qualities that Chris Carter, an NFL Hall of Famer, knows a thing or two about going from outstanding wide receiver to Hall of Fame talent.
Carter praised OSU’s top receiver in an interview with the Sports Geek, drawing comparisons between Harrison and his Pro Football Hall of Fame father. Harrison has caught 48 passes for 889 yards and eight touchdowns so far this season. He’s on track to become the first player to record multiple seasons with 1,000 yards in the program.
Carter had the following to say regarding the possible Heisman Trophy contender:
“His father was a major influence in his growth and decision to attend Ohio State. When Marvin Harrison was a junior in high school, I spoke with him and he told me how much he enjoyed the program. He thought that if his son went there, even though he wouldn’t be thrust into the spotlight right away, it was the best place and they made a wise choice. He also loved the wide receivers that we had previously produced and the way it was coached.
His son is, after all, a little different from his father. Everything else is the same, aside from body structure: competitiveness, speed route running, lateral short area quickness, love of working at the game, and love of the big stage of the game. He is unquestionably among Ohio State’s greatest receivers ever. He’s currently the best wide receiver in college football, and come April of next year, I think the 2024 draft will include him among the top five picks. He’s going to have an incredible career, in my opinion.
