Urban Meyer raves over Ohio State offensive talent: 'Never seen the level'

Urban Meyer couldn’t believe the talent he saw at Ohio State during his post-coaching days. The former coach raved about Ryan Day and Brian Hartline’s ability to pull in quarterback and wide receiver talent year after year.

This year, the wide receiver talent includes Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. That’s not mention guys like Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba over the past few years.

Meyer said it reminded him of what he transitioned to when he coached the Florida Gators.

“It kind of happened to me at Florida,” Meyer said on The Herd. “We started recruiting speed and I always made a comment, I want to be the fastest team in America. And then you get good news or bad news. The good news is you have the most talented players in the country. Bad news, they got to touch the ball. So you have to get that ball in their hands. I’m not saying Ohio State’s less physical, but I’m saying you have a group and you are correct, Brian Hartline has recruited, and I did this a long time, I’ve never seen the level that the quarterback and receivers are recruited at Ohio State right now.”

Meyer alluded to running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams, both named to the Doak Walker Award preseason watchlist.

“Everyone’s a first round draft pick, everyone’s a five star, but you have to get the ball in their hands,” Meyer said. “And you know, the good thing is they are loaded at tailback this year too. But I would not say that it turns into a finesse game. But it turns into a game that you got to be creative whether it’d be hand it to him, throw to him, throw screens to him. Your job as a head coach is to get the best players the ball.”

Quarterback is the question though with Kyle McCord and Devin Brown duking it out for the starting quarterback job. 

But Harrison Jr. and Egbuka are one of the best receiver pairings in the country while, if healthy, Henderson and Williams are one of the more dynamic duos.

Harrison Jr. broke out last year for Ohio State and could be the top receiver in next year’s NFL Draft. He finished with 77 catches, 1,263 yards, 14 touchdowns and 16.4 yards per catch.

Regardless of who wins the quarterback job, Ohio State’s talent level is beyond what Meyer saw in the past. A good sign for the Buckeyes.