Beyond the Box Score: Brandon Inniss is poised to take the next step this season
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Brandon Inniss is a very easy player to root for.
Inniss is now the seventh player to wear the Block “O,” with Ryan Day announcing the honor on Saturday. It’s a testament to Inniss’s progression, growth, and maturity, and it’s setting him up for potentially his best season yet as a Buckeye.
Before Jeremiah Smith, there was Brandon Inniss. The No. 3 wide receiver in the country and the No. 6-ranked player in the state of Florida in the Class of 2023, Inniss joined the Buckeyes for the 2023 season.
Expectations were high from the beginning, even with all of the talent at wide receiver. Playing behind Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, Jeremiah Smith, and Carnell Tate, all Inniss has done is put his head down and work.
Inniss played just 98 snaps in 2023. That count increased to 316 in 2024 and increased again to 552 in 2025. It’s an incredible progression, and now the former five-star recruit is poised to become this team’s WR2, potentially.
The Block “O” is in honor of former Buckeye and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Bill Willis. Willis’s number, 99, is retired by the Buckeyes. Per head coach Ryan Day, the Block ‘O’ represents much more than what a player does on the field. It represents toughness, accountability, and character.
“[Inniss] earned the respect of everyone in our building through the way he works, prepares, and serves his teammates,” Day said. “He is now a two-time captain who understands what it means to wear the Scarlet and Gray and the responsibility that comes with this program. Brandon continues to grow as a leader, and he will represent the legacy of Bill Willis and everything the Block ‘O’ stands for the right way.”
In 2025, Inniss caught 35 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns. On special teams, Inniss returned five kicks for 66 yards and 17 punts for 181 yards, earning him All-Big Ten Special Teams Honorable Mention. Inniss’ versatility is being recognized with a spot on the Hornung Award Watch List, which is given out to the most versatile player in the country.
The Ohio State wide receiver room isn’t as top heavy going into this season as it has been in recent seasons, outside of obviously Jeremiah Smith. This is the year for Inniss to really break into that WR2 mold. If he can do that, combined with his capabilities on special teams, he can be in for a prolific season that could raise his draft stock. Versatility can be an incredible asset in the NFL, and Inniss is showing his high level of it.
Guys who gradually live up to their billing out of high school while acquiring versatility are easy players to root for. That’s who Inniss is. He made impacts in multiple ways last year. Those impacts could be bigger this season.
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