This WR is proving he’s the ‘heart and soul’ of Ohio State football at a critical point in the season

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ryan Day spent the majority of his 28-minute press conference Tuesday answering, or deflecting ways to answer, questions regarding the health of his two star receivers: Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate.

However, in the final moments of his press conference, Day was asked about a quote that emerged from Ohio State’s other receiver after the Buckeyes handled UCLA on Saturday.

“Coach Day has a different look in his eye,” Brandon Inniss said. “I mean, a lot of people see it. I just feel like ever since that Team Up North (Michigan) loss last year, it’s been a different Coach Day.”

What does that mean? What does it look like when a coach has a different look in his eye?

Day struggled to provide an answer — “Oh, I don’t know,” he started — but perhaps that isn’t important.

Maybe Inniss’ quote didn’t teach us anything about the seventh-year head coach. Instead, it painted a picture for the scarlet and gray faithful of who the junior wide receiver is.

In a time where Ohio State seems thin at the position, Inniss spent Saturday reminding everyone of himself — and the six catches for 30 yards had little to do with it.

The Buckeyes are entering the most important stretch of their regular season, and Inniss has been a powerful force pushing them to this point. While Day has had a different look in his eye, Inniss has led with his voice.

Those inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center have been hearing it. The rest of college football is being exposed to it now too, on and off the field.

Brandon Inniss was a leader before his captain label

The Buckeyes named Inniss a captain this season, but his leadership was on display before he earned the title.

Ohio State lost as a three-touchdown favorite against Michigan last season. It was the lowest point in Day’s coaching career, but the program needed to regroup in time for the College Football Playoff.

A now-famous team meeting — one with Day and his players — led the turnaround. Players challenged Day in what turned into an emotional gathering.

Inniss was among those who spoke up and helped ignite a run to the ninth national title in program history. That trait has extended toward OSU’s search for No. 10.

Inniss was voted a captain in the offseason, and he acted like one. During preseason camp, he rarely hesitated to speak up.

Brandon Inniss is in his third season at Ohio State.David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

“He was the guy that challenged everybody,” Day said. “And because of the work he put in and how much he cares about his teammates, his teammates sat up and listened and responded.

“It’s one thing to say something, it’s another thing to watch them respond. He did that multiple times during camp — brought the whole offense together and got them fired up and got them moving. That took a big step, and that probably had an impact on him being voted captain.”

Now, as Ohio State looks to erase the lone blemish on Day’s resume, Inniss’ voice is critical again.

The Game is daunting, and less than two weeks away from its next rendition, the Buckeyes need those who have experienced it to lead the way in ending the skid.

“Brandon is a captain, and he has a big voice,” Day said. “He’s a very competitive guy and sort of has the heart and soul that you want as a captain.”

Numbers don’t define Brandon Inniss’ role on the field

The slot receiver has routinely put up impressive numbers under Day, ranging from Emeka Egbuka to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. That hasn’t been the case for Inniss, who’s caught 27 passes for 210 yards and a touchdown this season.

Those statistics don’t tell the full story, though.

Smith and Tate will likely be first round picks in future NFL drafts, so it’s no surprise they account for nearly half of the team’s targets. Add in transfer Max Klare, who’s perhaps the best receiving tight end Day has had, and another 40 targets have gone away from Inniss.

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Still, he’s remained a fixture in the lineup as OSU’s third receiver, and he’s been effective when called upon.

Nearly half of his catches this season have gone for first downs, and three of his receptions against UCLA helped Ohio State convert on third or fourth down.

He’ll likely hold an important role this week with uncertainty surrounding the health of Smith and Tate, but as has been the case throughout his time in Columbus — whether on the gridiron or within the team facility — Ohio State trusts him to come through.

“I think he’s a very good football player,” Day said. “He’s a competitive guy. He can do a lot of things.”

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