Arthur Smith calls Jeremiah Smith's potential “limitless,” and Iron Buckeye Brandon Inniss shares where he must improve to become a first-round pick in 2027.
Ohio State returned to the Woody Hayes Athletic Center this week as spring practice resumed, offering its first opportunity in a couple of weeks to hear from players and coaches as the Buckeyes continue building toward the 2026 season.
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith shared early impressions of his new unit, including his high praise for Jeremiah Smith and quarterback Julian Sayin, while also hinting at how versatile pieces like Legend Bey could be used. Wide receiver Brandon Inniss discussed his push to elevate his game in a crowded room, center Carson Hinzman pointed to continuity and communication as strengths for the offensive line and left guard Luke Montgomery reflected on the lessons learned from last season and the added motivation that comes with it. The media availability marked Ohio State’s first set of press conferences since returning from spring break, providing a fresh snapshot of where the Buckeyes stand through three spring practices.“It doesn’t feel like you’re dealing with a college player, he feels like a veteran to me … He’s got great humility for somebody that’s that talented … I think the potential is limitless.”On Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin: “There’s a lot he can handle, and I think he’s very mature, very intelligent, so it’s been fun to work with him.” Can you ever give the ball too much to Jeremiah Smith? “No. I got asked that, if I gave the ball too many times to Derrick Henry, and I’d argue that I didn’t. I mean, Derrick, I think, carried the ball more than anybody in the postseason run in ’19.” On Legend Bey: “There’s so many things he can do.” Smith compared Bey to Cordarrelle Patterson and Kenneth Gainwell, two of his former NFL running backs who were also used as receivers. On the Ohio State/Michigan rivalry: “One of the first texts I got was from Taylor Lewan. He told me that I was a traitor even though I had no ties, I was a North Carolina guy. So I understand that rivalry, obviously it’s a huge game and looking forward to being part of it.”“I’m focused this year. I got one year left, and Imma do everything I can to be a first-round pick.”Inniss said he skipped the Buckeye Cruise so he could become an Iron Buckeye. “There’s a rule that if you’re going on the Buckeye Cruise, you can’t be an Iron Buckeye. I was solely focused on being an Iron Buckeye and being one of the hardest workers on the team. I’m glad that I was able to hit that goal.” Inniss said it was important for him to be an Iron Buckeye because there are 51 new players on Ohio State’s roster this season. “A captain last year doesn’t mean anything to the new guys, honestly. I wanted them to know how hard I work and that comes with being an Iron Buckeye. They know the Iron Buckeyes are the hardest workers in the facility.” Inniss said Emeka Egbuka and Marvin Harrison Jr. showed him how hard he needed to work to succeed at Ohio State. Inniss wants to set the same standard for the Buckeyes’ newcomers. When asked what he needs to do to become a first-round pick, Brandon Inniss said, “I need to be more explosive. I need to have all the production I can. When I have the ball in my hands, I got to catch everything, I got to create a lot of separation and be dominant on the perimeter.” “That’s my dawg,” Inniss said when asked about new wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton. “Ever since he came in here, it’s been a good relationship with all the guys in the room. He brings a lot of energy every day.” Inniss said Jermaine Mathews Jr. told Inniss that he loves Hankton’s energy. Inniss called Arthur Smith an “amazing coach” who is “very smart.” He said Smith tells a lot of jokes but is also very serious. He looks forward to working with Smith more in the future. Inniss said Ryan Day involved him, Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate in the hiring of Hankton."We were very involved. That's what he wanted because we are the leaders in the room." Inniss said Hankton was on the top of his list to be the program's next receivers coach.“I think this season's gonna be a great opportunity to kind of show what we had, maybe rewrite some of our wrongs we had this last year.”On there being 51 new players on Ohio State’s roster: “I tried to do the best I can, kind of getting around. Obviously, you want to start with your unit out. I think the guys we have this year honestly are great, they're a great fit. I don't think we've had really any problems with anyone who's come in, either a young guy or a transfer.” On where the offensive line’s experience shows up: “Probably the rehab room, you can see a lot of the old guys in there getting work in . No, I'm just kidding. I think the fact that we can trust each other with our calls. Even if Coach Patricia is putting in some BS defense like he always does. I think it's good for us that we can trust that, one way or another, I know we're gonna get this done. Even if we're all wrong, we're all right, because we know exactly where we're going.” He added that the experience shows in the front five’s communication. Hinzman said this spring will be about working toward finding the best combination of five players on the starting offensive line. “We're looking at depth, we're looking at experience, we're looking at what could be the best fit for us right now. You obviously wanna put the five best guys on the field, and so I think Coach Bowen's been doing a great job of evaluating that.” On where he wants to grow: “There's stuff everywhere. You can always fine-tune everything. My footwork, being stronger in my core. I think working on my hamstrings, being able to pull away from the line quicker is gonna be really important, being able to land punches and be firm at the point. And not just kind of walling with guys, but actually driving through people in the run game is gonna be important as well.”“Being an Ohio kid and being here now and understanding what the rivalry really means. Then, going into my third year, losing two times, I really wanted those gold pants. Now we’ve got these ones, but I’ve got one more year left, so we’ve got to get another one.”On the offensive line’s motivation following tough losses to Indiana and Miami to close its season: “I think you learn most from adversity. Those are two pretty great teams, obviously, and both were in the national championship , and you learn a lot from it when you go against great players like that. It’s only going to help us in this upcoming season, and obviously with that comes experience, and we’re very experienced up front.” Ohio State’s entire offensive line has been cross-training at multiple positions this spring, Montgomery said. He’s worked at all three positions: His usual guard, center and tackle. On how the experience of the Buckeyes’ offensive line will benefit the unit this year: “I think the experience matters in the tight-knit games, and we’ve got a lot of those this upcoming year. I think everything happens for a reason, and this upcoming year, we’ve got a gauntlet. it’s going to show in the games in the fourth quarter.” On what went wrong for the offensive line against Indiana and Miami: “I think it was just a technique thing. I really do think we honestly beat ourselves in some of those scenarios. I think we were ready to go into that game, and I think when we got into the game, we took things for granted a little bit. Just should have done better with the basics.” On Michigan recruiting him out of high school:"Thank goodness I didn’t go there, just with what’s going on in the past few years ... I hope some of them find the lord and can come back and be with the people they love.”Ohio State Needs Far Better Transfer Portal Additions, Late-Game Play Design for Better Close to 2026-27 Season Ohio State Women’s Basketball Falls to No. 6 Seed Notre Dame, 83-73, for Third Straight Second-Round NCAA Tournament Loss
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