WR Preview: Brennan Presley Stars Reloaded Position Group for OSU

Tylan Wallace accounted for nearly 35% of OSU’s receiving yards the last three seasons — despite one of those years being cut short with an ACL tear. He has for years been OSU’s No. 1 option. His absence, more than any outgoing player on OSU’s roster, will be felt most in 2021.

Despite that, the Pokes have done a good job of reloading at the position, led by young sophomore Brennan Presley, transfer Tay Martin and other pieces.

So continuing with our position preview series, we’re looking at the receiving corps. and what it will look like in 2021.

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Yardage leader favorites: Brennan Presley and Tay Martin

Both Presley and Martin saved their best performances for last during the 2020 season, with Presley going for six receptions, 118 yards and three scores in the Cheez-It Bowl and Martin grabbing six receptions for 73 yards.

Presley profiles as Sanders’ favorite option — and perhaps the receptions leader — but Martin and his 6-foot-3 frame could be the leader in yards receiving by season’s end. They’re both dynamite sticks waiting to explode in the open field.

Young potential contributors: Blaine Green, Jaden Bray, Bryson Green

It’ll come down to how deep each position group is and how much OSU chooses to rotate — which often is not much — but twins Bryson and Blaine Green as well as Jaden Bray are all potentially in the mix to play in 2021. Each of the three were part of OSU’s 2021 recruiting class, and all three enrolled early. Another to watch here is John Paul Richardson, who apparently has some incredible shake to his game.

Vets who will play: Rashod Owens, Langston Anderson, Braydon Johnson

Owens is a redshirt freshman and Anderson a redshirt sophomore. So, yes, I’m using “vets” in this context loosely. Nevertheless, this trio looks like they’ll be contributors in 2021 with Owens potentially in line to start and Anderson a talented darkhorse who could make a push for a starting role this fall. Johnson, a redshirt senior, has proven he’s worthy of a role in this offense as well.

Projected depth chart

WR1s: Brennan Presley, Tay Martin, Langston Anderson
WR2s: Rashod Owens, Braydon Johnson, Jaden Bray
WR3s: Blaine and Bryson Green, Jonathan Shepherd

Also in the mix: John Paul Richardson, Matt Polk