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The Ohio State Buckeyes were able to swiftly defeat the Ball State Cardinals in Week One of the 2026 college football season, 56-3.

While other members of the Big 10 Conference struggled against the MAC this weekend, head coach Ryan Day and his offense managed to accumulate 671 total offensive yards, with 434 of the yards occurring through the air. Junior star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith played a massive role in this incredible offensive showing, recording eight receptions for 151 receiving yards and two touchdowns on Saturday.

However, there was another name in the passing game that clearly stood out for Day and the Buckeyes: newly transferred wide receiver Devin McCuin.

McCuin's Ohio State Debut

Despite the weak competition in Week One, McCuin quickly became a key target for quarterback Julian Sayin early in the contest.

The senior wide receiver ended his Ohio State debut with six catches for 97 receiving yards and one touchdown. McCuin's touchdown came off a nice 17-yard play in which he broke off a tackle and muscled his way through two defenders to reach the goal line.

One of the biggest questions surrounding McCuin heading into this year was how the Buckeyes would use him on offense. Longtime Ohio State receiver Brandon Innis was slated to remain in the slot this season, which many believed could have diminished his role on offense.

However, this was not the case, as the talented newcomer ultimately lined up on the perimeter for 22 of his 25 snaps. In his three seasons with the Roadrunners, McCuin lined up in the slot for roughly 30 percent of his plays, so for him to take 88 percent of his snaps out wide is a sign of growth.

Looking ahead at how the Buckeyes will deploy McCuin for the remainder of the season, it's clear that he will play a key role on offense. Head coach Ryan Day is used to having multiple first-round wide receivers, but this year will be dramatically different with Smith as the lone alpha receiver on the field.

Since most opponents will likely key in on Smith this season, McCuin must take the mantle as the second option in the passing game for the offense to be effective in 2026. McCuin showed enough promise in Week One for the coaching staff to begin trusting in him more, but this must carry over into the Buckeyes' primetime Week Two matchup against the Texas Longhorns.

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