Top Midwest prospects explain why Ohio State is WRU

COLUMBUS, Ohio — LSU fans won’t want to hear this but the Ohio State Buckeyes are Wide Receiver U after coach Ryan Day’s program has produced a staggering five first-round NFL Draft picks in the last four drafts.

Garrett Wilson (2022), Chris Olave (2022), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (2023), Marvin Harrison Jr. (2024), Emeka Egbuka (2025) are the players that created this amazing run. We’ll see if the Buckeyes can produce another first-rounder in 2026 before Jeremiah Smith surely becomes a first-night selection in the 2027 NFL Draft.

So what makes the Buckeyes so prolific at developing elite wide receivers? I asked several receivers about that last weekend at the UA Camp in Columbus.

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“To me what makes Ohio State a WRU is the receivers that they produce every year and all of the receivers that they have put in the league. I think they are so good at developing receivers because they take pride in attention to detail and prepare their receivers for more than just the league, they run a league like environment.”

“Their track record speaks for itself. (Assistant Brian) Hartline is a big reason. His attention to detail and dedication to be great and getting the very best in his room year after year to put ‘we over me.’ Iron sharpens iron.”

“I feel the consistency and the development not just into a better all around wide receiver but a man is what makes OSU WRU. They are very productive on and off the field and very mature in both fields as well. That is what makes them WRU.”

“Coach Hartline is the best there is at developing. Guys stay there from freshman to senior year and continue to get more technical each year. People trust the process and plan he has. When I was there on a visit I could see it.”