Brandon Inniss Says He Is Doing Everything He Can To Become A First-Round Pick

Ohio State’s wide receiver room is well-established at this point.

In the last five years, six receivers have been selected in the first round of the NFL draft, and there’s still a lot of talent in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center going into the 2026 season.

When Brandon Inniss was recruited in the 2023 class, he was yet another great addition for former wide receivers coach Brian Hartline. Three years into his Buckeye career, Inniss may not have lived up to what he thought he could be in Columbus yet.

But he spent the offseason working toward his goal of being one of the next first-rounders to come out of Ohio State, and his hard work was rewarded when he was named one of four winter Iron Buckeyes.

He appreciated the recognition.

“It means everything. In the offseason, that was my No. 1 goal, was to be an Iron Buckeye,” Inniss said in March. “I got an opportunity to go on the Buckeye cruise, but there’s a rule that if you’re going to the Buckeye cruise you can’t be an Iron Buckeye. I was solely focused on being an Iron Buckeye, being one of the hardest workers on the team.”

But the work didn’t stop there. There’s a long way to go before the season begins when Ball State heads to Ohio Stadium for the Sept. 5 season opener.

Inniss said he has a very specific goal in mind and he is hoping to make it a reality by April 2027.

“I’m focused this year,” he said. “I have one year left and I’m going to do everything I can to be a first-round pick.”

Last season, in Inniss’ first year as a starter in the slot, he finished with 36 catches for 271 yards and three touchdowns. He said he’s aware of what he needs to do to get those numbers up and show that he’s worthy of being selected in the first round.

“After the catch, I need to be more explosive. I have to have all the production I can when I have the ball in my hands,” Inniss said. “I have to catch everything. I have to create a lot of separation and be dominant on the perimeter

He’s also got more competition in the wide receiver room this year after Ohio State went into the transfer portal for receivers for the first time. The Buckeyes brought in two talented pass catchers in former LSU receiver Kyle Parker and former UTSA receiver Devin McCuin.

But Inniss didn’t shy away from whatever competition that might have brought to the group.

“KP and Devin, they’ve been great additions to the room,” Inniss said. We all bonded together really well. We do things outside the facility all the time. But, we’re all competitors. Whoever comes into the room, you want to compete with me. You always want to be the top guy.”