Ohio State wide receivers Brock Boyd, Chris Henry Jr., and Kyle Parker bring speed, size, and versatility to the Buckeyes’ offense.

Ohio State’s wide receiver room has revolved around Jeremiah Smith and a productive group of veterans through the first five games. Still, three other receivers are poised to become bigger parts of the Buckeyes’ offense as the season progresses.

Freshmen Brock Boyd and Chris Henry Jr. have already earned regular snaps. LSU transfer Kyle Parker is finally healthy and preparing for his Ohio State debut. Each brings a different skill set to the offense, and all three wideouts will likely get more snaps on Saturday because Brandon Inniss and Devin McCuin are listed as questionable.

Ryan Day has been particularly encouraged by the progress of Boyd and Henry.

“They’re playing with confidence, and I can see them getting more and more opportunities in the passing game,” Day said Wednesday. “When you run routes, and you get open on film, the ball just finds a way to get to you. I think it’s going to happen.”

Brock Boyd

Boyd has already shown why Ohio State trusted him with an early role. The Southlake, Texas, native has six catches for 110 yards in five games, including four receptions for 66 yards against Kent State. In his collegiate debut against Ball State, he caught a 22-yard pass, and he has continued to see the field as one of the first receivers off the bench.

The 6-foot-1, 196-pound freshman combines short-area quickness with a strong understanding of the position. Day pointed to Boyd’s football intelligence when discussing him in September, saying he entered Ohio State with an “extensive football IQ” and had shown excellent agility.

Day also identified Boyd and Henry as players who would become “major contributors” during Big Ten play.

Chris Henry Jr.

Henry offers a different physical profile. At 6-foot-5 and 211 pounds, the five-star freshman gives Julian Sayin a large target on the perimeter and a substantial catch radius. Day compared Henry’s size to Jeremiah Smith’s and specifically highlighted his ability to make plays outside his frame.

Chris Henry Jr. has three catches for 105 yards through five games, including a 75-yard touchdown that displayed his speed after the catch. Two of his three receptions have gone for touchdowns. His production remains limited by targets, since the offense has leaned heavily on Smith. Still, Henry has played 122 offensive snaps, ranking third among Buckeye receivers, and has stayed in the regular rotation.

Day said Wednesday that Henry and Boyd have also held their own as blockers, an important part of their path to more playing time.

“I think physically you’re seeing them play well,” Day said. “Blocking, Iowa’s got some physical guys, and they were mixing it up with them.”

Kyle Parker

Parker gives Ohio State another option. The 5-foot-10, 198-pound senior transferred from LSU after catching 31 passes for 330 yards and four touchdowns in 2025. He played 489 snaps at receiver and on special teams, started five games, and caught at least one pass in 10 of LSU’s 13 games.

His experience separates him from the two freshmen. Parker has played both inside and outside and brings familiarity with Ohio State wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton, who coached him at LSU before joining Day’s staff. His quickness, acceleration, and ability to create separation give the Buckeyes another option for moving a receiver around the formation.

Parker missed the first five games with an injury, but Day said Tuesday that he will return this week, putting him in line for his Ohio State debut against Maryland.

The availability of Brandon Inniss and Devin McCuin could open additional snaps for the trio against Maryland. Henry and Boyd have already handled meaningful playing time this season, while Parker brings experience from LSU as he returns from injury.

Day has challenged the young receivers to make their opportunities count in the passing game.

“We need to see these guys step up in the passing game for us.”