Brian Hartline and the Ohio State Buckeyes get a $130 million surprise boost to their recruiting efforts
The Ohio State Buckeyes have been one of the best recruiting machines over the last decade since Urban Meyer transformed their approach into a nationwide effort. Being able to draw in top athletes from across the country has led to two National Championships, and the team regularly finishes in the top 10 of yearly class rankings.
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One of their biggest stars cashed in with a massive NFL contract on Monday afternoon. Former Ohio State and current New York Jets star Garrett Wilson inked a four-year, $130 million deal with $90 million guaranteed. The 24-year-old was the 10th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Wilson was the catalyst for an insane run on receivers that has continued to this day. New offensive coordinator and former Buckeyes receiver Brian Hartline hasn't needed much more ammunition on the recruiting trail, but boasting about his crew's NFL earnings will only help the program.
Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Emeka Egbuka have each been first-round picks since 2022. Carnell Tate should extend that streak in 2026, and Jeremiah Smith might be the top overall pick in 2027.
Now averaging $32.5 million, Wilson ranks fifth among NFL receivers in yearly salary. He's coming off a career season with 101 receptions, 1,104 yards, and seven touchdowns, and has the 2022 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award in his closet already.
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Hartline's next challenge is continuing to do what he can to bring in elite playmakers at receiver, but the entire program will benefit if he's a star offensive coordinator. Hartline will serve alongside Keenan Bailey as the co-OC, which is a head-scratcher, but Hartline will be the bigger presence in the room.
Andy Staples of On3 ranked the most impactful coordinator hires of the college football season, and Hartline made the list as the No. 3 move. It trailed only Ryan Grubb's predictable decision to join Kalen DeBoer in Alabama and Knowles' departure to Penn State.
Here's what Staples said of the promotion:
Hartline is the best receivers coach in America. He hasn't previously been a playcaller, but the Buckeyes probably owe him a shot at the role after all he's done as an on-field coach and recruiter.
Last year's decision by Ryan Day to give up playcalling was made easier by the fact that Chip Kelly — Day's college coach and professional mentor — was willing to leave the UCLA head coach job to call plays in Columbus. (After original hire Bill O'Brien got the head coach job at Boston College.) That probably was the perfect transition, because Day trusted Kelly more than anyone else who could have held that role.
This will be different. Day has to give Hartline a chance to grow into the role, but Day also is the most experienced offensive playcaller in the building. So if he needs to jump in, he can. Plus, the hiring of Virginia Tech offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen as offensive line coach/run game coordinator feels like insurance.
All of these coaches know more about playcalling than me, but a humble suggestion of 'When in doubt, throw it toward Jeremiah Smith' seems appropriate.
The line Buckeyes fans want to pay attention to most? It's not that the move to hire Hartline was what Staples was referring to as "the perfect transition" (that was the move from Bill O'Brien to Chip Kelly), but that the addition of Tyler Bowen will supplement Hartline's promotion.
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Day's actions, including giving Bailey the new co-OC moniker, speak to continuing to support Hartline's journey into a huge role increase. That in itself should eventually make this the perfect transition as Day gets ready to pull up his sleeves to get dirty alongside Hartline.
View the original article to see embedded media.
This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
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