COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State football’s Brandon Inniss has waited his turn, sitting patiently behind receiver Emeka Egbuka.
But with Egbuka now pursuing his NFL dreams, Inniss is next up in an impressive lineage of receivers in Columbus.
A flare of versatility could come with the promotion.
After Monday’s spring practice, the first of 15, coach Ryan Day emphasized a desire for players who could fill multiple roles.
It started with a question about guard Austin Siereveld taking reps at left tackle, but Day’s answer extended to Inniss.
“A receiver like Brandon Inniss could line up in the backfield and take a hand-off,” Day said.
This notion isn’t new for the Buckeyes.
Egbuka had eight carries for 33 yards last season and lined up in the backfield 16 times, per Pro Football Focus. In 2023, Xavier Johnson took 25 snaps in the backfield while collecting 28 carries for 190 yards.
The same can be expected of Inniss.
“Guys have had to move and play multiple positions,” Day said. “I think you find that sometimes in the NFL. The difference here is that we’re not going to be able to sign people off waivers.”
EA Sports boosting its NIL payments
EA Sports College Football 25 was among the hottest video games on the market last year.
As a result, athletes who appear in the game for the next edition will benefit — even more — financially.
In an statement from vice president Sean O’Brien, EA Sports announced it will pay $1,500 in name, image and likeness to athletes as opposed to $600 dished out last year.
“College sports are growing and changing, and our focus at EA SPORTS is on continuing to put athletes first as we bring them in the game in College Football 26 and beyond,” O’Brien said in the statement.
Key dates
- ‘Spring Showcase’: 24 days, April 12, 2025
- NFL Draft: 36 days, April 24-26, 2025
- Big Ten Media Days: 125 days, July 22-24, 2025
- Ohio State vs. Texas (season opener): 164 days, Aug. 30, 2025
- Ohio State vs. Penn State: 227 days, Nov. 1, 2025
- The Game 2025: 255 days, Nov. 29, 2025
- Big Ten Championship Game: 262 days, Dec. 6, 2025
- College Football Playoff first round: 275 days, Dec. 19-20, 2025
- College Football Playoff quarterfinal: 287 days, Dec. 31, 2025-Jan. 1, 2026
- College Football Playoff semifinal: 295 days, Jan. 8-9, 2026
- College Football Playoff National Championship Game: 306 days, Jan. 19, 2026
