While a lot of the attention on Ohio State’s 2023 wide receiver recruiting has been on Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss, another prospect who plays in the Sunshine State has quickly moved to the top of the Buckeyes’ board at the position.
Bryson Rodgers of Zephyrhills (FL) Wiregrass Ranch is currently rated 308th nationally and the 41st best receiver in America per the Composite, but Brian Hartline and Ryan Day certainly think that ranking is not accurate. As does Nick Saban at Alabama, Billy Napier at Florida, Mike Norvell at FSU, Bryan Harsin at Auburn, Mario Cristobal at Miami, Jim Harbaugh at Michigan, Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss, and many others who would take his commitment in a heartbeat.
The Buckeyes had the chance to show why they feel they are the best fit for the 6-foot-2, 170-pounder earlier this week when they hosted him and his family for a one day visit on Tuesday March 8.
“It was tremendous,” Rodgers told Buckeye Scoop about his visit. “It was everything I imagined and I would say even a little more. Just getting to learn the true personalities of the coaching staff, seeing how they coach their players, understanding their goals and their purposes. The brotherhood they’ve built is truly amazing. It’s definitely unreal and it’s something I liked a lot that I got to see while I was there.”
It was an action-packed day for Rodgers while in Columbus.
“We started by watching practice in the morning,” he shared. “I got to see them live and in action like I said. Coach Hartline was very energetic and Coach Keenan Bailey had great energy too. I got to see Coach Day out there with the offense doing great things. We got the weight room tour and spent time with the strength and conditioning coach, who had a lot of great energy too. I toured the athletic facilities, which are great and you can really see they have great purpose behind everything they’re doing there. We then got some lunch and had a campus tour to see where I’d be studying at. They have a great library and provide great opportunities to lock in academically. I got to go in Ohio Stadium. It was my first time ever seeing it or being there. It was a great moment to go down the tunnel and step down on the field with my family. We got to see the game day locker room. And then that was about it.”
Throughout the day Rodgers also got to spend some quality time with Hartline and Day, who are leading this recruitment.
“I sat down with Coach Hartline twice,” he said. “We talked about the character he likes bringing in to his receivers room and how I fit into that. He likes my character and the athleticism I display on the field. He told me he wants to coach me and makes me the best athlete and person I could be.
“With Coach Day, I met with him after lunch and it was great the first time meeting him in person. It was a great introduction and opportunity to get to know him, as well as his goals and purposes for the next few years at Ohio State. Getting him introduced to my family as well was good, as he had a great conversation with them.”
Hartline has done an incredible job bringing in top talent to his room. If Rodgers were to choose Ohio State he’d be amongst a group of blue chippers who would all be battling each other in practice every day to get on the field come game time. Is that something that will impact Rodgers’ recruitment?
“That excites me,” he responded when asked. “I’m always down to compete. I’ve competed my whole life. Everything is a competition. Even if the guy you’re going against is your closest brother, when it’s time to get on that field, it’s time for business. I definitely love to compete and that competitive atmosphere. I feel like it brings the best out of you as a player and as a person, going in every day knowing you can’t slack off because there’s someone behind you ready to compete and take your spot. You’ve got to find a way to produce and help your team wins. It’s a business and I love that about the Ohio State receivers room that it’s very competitive.”
