COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State’s crowded receiver corps won’t present the only opportunity for highly touted freshman Garrett Wilson to make an impact early on.
During his first radio show of the season on Thursday, coach Ryan Day mentioned the 6-0, 188-pound receiver as one of four players who could contribute in the return game during Saturday’s season opener against Florida Atlantic.
Day also mentioned H-backs K.J. Hill and C.J. Saunders and running back DeMario McCall as players who could factor into the return game. Day said those players would rotate and, depending on how the game played out, he hoped to get Wilson “a couple returns.”
“He’s a guy that we want to get on the field,” Day said when meeting with reporters after the radio show. "He’s a playmaker. His ball skills are very good.
“Being a returner, there’s a lot that comes with that. You have to have tracking, you have to have depth perception, you have to have good hands and timing. I think he has those. You don’t know with a returner until you get him into the game.”
Ohio State will not release an official depth chart until Fridays each week. It will also release a “status report” on potentially inactive players.
Wilson was a five-star recruit ranked No. 20 nationally overall and No. 2 among receivers in the 24/7 Sports composite for the 2019 class.
Wilson flashed his promise with 44 yards and a touchdown on four receptions in the spring game. He could open the season in the receiver rotation behind senior Binjimen Victor.
Day said several true freshmen could play immediately, including Wilson’s fellow receiver Jameson Williams, running backs Marcus Crowley and Steele Chambers, offensive lineman Harry Miller, defensive end Zach Harrison and linebackers Cade Stover and Craig Young.
Day said due to the second-year rule allowing players to play up to four games and keep their redshirt, all need to be ready to play.
“If they can make an impact on special teams early on, that really helps us,” Day said.
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