Jett Harrison shows the Buckeyes and Cortez Hankton can keep the Ohio State WR legacy rolling in the way that matters in this era

Maybe the Buckeyes won't stack receiver talent like they once did, but the quality at the top is still there

Ohio State receivers coach Cortez Hankton is showing the Buckeyes can still reel in elite receiver recruits. (Photo by Doug Lesmerises)

COLUMBUS — Brian Hartline’s greatest trait died in the NIL era. Even if he was still in Columbus, he likely wouldn’t be the Brian Hartline of old.

Hartline, as Ohio State’s receivers coach, not only recruited and developed five-star receivers, he persuaded five-star receivers. He got them to wait.

The defining attribute of the Ohio State receiver rooms during his tenure was the quantity of the quality. The defining photo was Julian Fleming, Marvin Harrison Jr., Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Chris Olave sitting on the bench together.

The best receivers in the country wanted to be part of the best position group in the country. They viewed waiting your turn as a feature, not a bug.

It’s why some of us are a little confused in 2026 as to how much freshmen Chris Henry Jr., Brock Boyd and Jerquaden Guilford might play this season. In the past, the wait would have been assumed (unless you’re Jeremiah Smith). But that’s not how it is anymore. Henry and Boyd might be needed. Guilford could be a bonus right now.

Their opportunity was exacerbated by the fact that a 5-star receiver (Quincy Porter) and a borderline 5-star receiver (Mylan Graham) both transferred to Notre Dame this offseason. The Buckeyes probably can’t stack like they used to, and the two transfers are part of the point.

In this era, the Buckeyes don’t need the full Hartline effect. They don’t want the full Hartline effect. Spending enough NIL and revenue share money at one position to clog up the talent tube isn’t smart roster management.

As Bill found in his research, in the 10 recruiting classes between 2019 and 2028, there were 41 receivers rated as 5-stars. Ohio State signed, or has committed, nine of them. That’s 21 percent of the top players in the country at a position to one place. Texas A&M is next with five, Texas and Oregon have four, and Tennessee, Alabama and Oklahoma have two.

That’s a ton of talent. And in his era, Hartline backstopped those 5-stars with more 4-stars who were among the Top 10 or 20 receivers in the nation.

According to On3 industry average ratings, Ohio State recruiting classes, by year, featured these ranked receivers.