Like the rest of the offensive unit, Ohio’s wide receiver room was hit hard by the transfer portal and graduations. However, that’s not to say there is no reason to be excited about this receiver group.
During Mid-American Conference Media Day, Ohio coach Tim Albin was thrilled about how the new receiving group has looked in camp. Albin says this is the fastest group of receivers he’s ever worked with.
Who’s gone
Ohio’s top four receivers in terms of receiving yards from 2023 are now all gone.
Former Ohio State transfer Sam Wiglusz now holds a roster spot for the Los Angeles Rams after two years as one of Ohio’s top receiving threats. As for the other three, Miles Cross, Tyler Walton and Will Kacmarek elected to enter the transfer portal, as did Jacoby Jones, another one of Ohio’s top receivers from the 2023 season.
Ohio lost 10 receivers and 2,421 of its total 2,647 receiving yards following the 2023 season.
Who’s new
There will be a lot of new faces catching touchdowns at Peden Stadium this fall, which is a fact that has head coach Tim Albin and the coaching staff excited for what is to come.
Transfer Coleman Owen from Northern Arizona is an experienced college player with an impressive 2,272 receiving yards already in his four-year collegiate career. As for other transfers, Eamonn Dennis and Eian Pugh bring power-five experience from Michigan and Illinois, respectively.
Ohio brought in five total wide-receiver recruits looking to make an impact in 2024.
Who’s back
Ohio is bringing back only two players who saw the field last season at the wide receiver position. Each of these players, Chase Hendricks and Rodney Harris II, could end up being starters in an offensive unit that saw lots of turnover following 2023.
Five additional players on the 2023 roster will return alongside Hendricks and Harris, looking to make an impact.
Player to watch - Eamonn Dennis
Transferring from the reigning national championship University of Michigan, Eamonn Dennis is a name that brings excitement to small-town Ohio. Dennis doesn't bring in a breadth of experience despite appearing in 23 games over four years at Michigan. Dennis played a special teams role for the Wolverines in pursuit of their national title but will look to gain a starting spot with the Bobcats in 2024.
In high school, Dennis was a three-star prospect and ranked by 247sports as the fifth-best receiver in his home state of Massachusetts.
