What Bryson Rodgers’ transfer means for Ohio State football’s 2024 receivers

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Emeka Egbuka trumpeted Bryson Rodgers as “Mr. Consistent,” touting the freshman’s 90% catch rate when targeted on Ohio State football’s Michael Thomas board in preseason camp.

Last week in pre-Cotton Bowl interviews, he was asked if Rodgers was being overlooked in the 2024 slot receiver conversation if Egbuka either opted for the NFL Draft or played outside more next season. At worst, he expected a “great battle” between Rodgers and fellow freshman Brandon Inniss.

“There’s that statistic that was like the wildest catch percentage I’ve ever seen,” Egbuka said. “But that’s truly what Bryson is and he’s continuing to do that throughout the months and throughout the season.”

Ohio State fans may never see what Egbuka and others said they saw behind the scenes. Rodgers played only six snaps over two games as a true freshman and reportedly plans to seek a transfer.

Perhaps Rodgers’ decision is a precursor to Egbuka’s eventual announcement that he will return for a fourth season. Egbuka said last Wednesday he had not made a decision on whether to enter the NFL Draft. He did reveal he underwent tightrope surgery to repair a high ankle sprain midseason.

While Rodgers was the lowest-ranked of the four freshman receivers by the scouting networks, that was not a reflection of his talent or OSU’s expectations for him. He was still a four-star prospect ranked No. 376 overall for the 2023 class. At 6-2, 185 pounds, he projected to work into the 2024 two-deep with another offseason of growth.

His departure could affect the Buckeyes’ depth for 2024 — though in reality, no position group on the roster is better situated to handle an unexpected departure.

Egbuka went over 1,000 yards in the slot in 2022. While his production dropped this past season due to the injury, he could thrive there again next season if he returns (presumably at full health).

Inniss was identified as Egbuka’s potential successor while still a high school prospect. However, both have the versatility to play on the perimeter as well. Ohio State receivers coach Brian Hartline could conceivably mix and match in a deeper rotation of receivers than any year since 2019.

Departures from the receiver room are not uncommon — in part because each new signing class adds a glut of talent. Kaleb Brown and Caleb Burton from the 2022 class both transferred after one season. So did Mookie Cooper from the 2020 group.

Any time a receiver deviates from the expected early path to the NFL, the odds of attrition elsewhere go up. If Egbuka opts to go pro, though, Rodgers’ departure would leave OSU thinner on promising slot receivers than it expected to be when next season begins.