These days, the appeal of playing wide receiver at Ohio State is self-evident.
That's what happens when a school possesses perhaps the premier position coach in the country, offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Brian Hartline. Six receivers coached by Hartline at Ohio State have been first-round NFL draft picks in just the past five years.
So, the appeal of joining that lineage is obvious for five-star 2027 wideout Dakota Guerrant – even as a prospect from Michigan.
"They’re Receiver U," Guerrant said at Ohio State's 7-on-7 tournament on Wednesday. "They put guys in the NFL. They're close. They win. They've got everything. It's self-explanatory."
With fellow 2027 five-star receiver and Buckeye commit Jamier Brown recruiting Guerrant heavily, Ohio State is an early contender to land the phenomenal rising junior out of enemy territory.
Before competing with his Harper Woods High School squad at the Buckeyes' high school 7-on-7 tournament, Guerrant completed a visit to Ohio State over the weekend and took the opportunity to work out one-on-one with Hartline. It gave him some thoughts on what separates the seven-year NFL veteran from other receiver coaches.
"His energy," Guerrant said. "He has good energy when you're around him in practice or working out with him, and he's very attentive to detail. Very direct. Every little thing matters with him. So, I feel like that's why other guys have been able to get to the league (under him)."
The 7-on-7 tournament flexed Guerrant's ridiculous skillset as he hauled in a hefty batch of touchdown receptions, but it also gave him another chance to connect with Brown. The Ohio native has been in his ear consistently about joining him in Columbus.
"All the time," Guerrant said. "Like, 'You might as well.' But it's good, me and Jamier are good. We'd be a good duo."
Another attraction to Ohio State is its willingness to play its best talents early in their career. That much is evidenced by Jeremiah Smith, who emerged as one of the best receivers in college football as a freshman with 76 receptions for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Buckeyes' national championship-winning squad.
"If I come in and dominate and do what I'm supposed to do, then I'll be able to play and the best man gonna play," Guerrant said.
For all the first-rounders Hartline has churned out of his room in recent years and the superstardom seen by Smith in his first year, it's last year's No. 3 (and this year's likely No. 2) receiver Carnell Tate who Guerrant said is his favorite recent Buckeye wideout. He sees similarities between his own game and Tate's.
"Just smooth. Very smooth in and out of routes," Guerrant said.
Guerrant said the 7-on-7 tournament will be the last camp he attends this summer, but he has visits planned to several other schools, including Tennessee, Oregon, Texas A&M and Michigan. He added that he wants to return to Ohio State for another visit to see a game this fall.
Of course, a lot of folks from his hometown of Harper Woods – located less than an hour from Ann Arbor – are pleading with him to become a Wolverine.
"(They say) like, 'You're built to go to Michigan. Don't go to the other side,'" Guerrant said.
With more than 18 months remaining until he signs with a school, Guerrant's recruitment will come down to which program he feels can best develop him for the NFL and which has a great culture. It's no surprise that Ohio State is in the running.
"I would like for the coach to be able to put guys into the NFL," Guerrant said. "A winning program. A good head coach, stable head coach. An offensive scheme that schemes guys open. A good culture in the locker room, a good culture in the receiver room and a history of getting guys into the NFL."
