Signed: Bryson Rodgers joins elite Ohio State wide receiver class
The Early-Signing Period is here and Ohio State is set to once again bring in one of the country’s best recruiting classes. Lettermen Row is tracking the Buckeyes recruiting news throughout the signing period as 2023 commitments officially join the Ohio State football program. The latest Letter of Intent is in: Bryson Rodgers has signed with the Buckeyes.
COLUMBUS — Ohio State saw potential in Bryson Rodgers before he blew up as a nationally-known receiver prospect.
The four-star Zephyrhills (Fla.) Wiregrass Ranch wide receiver made sure to jump at the opportunity to join the Buckeyes loaded pass-catchers room. Following a January scholarship offer, Rodgers visited Ohio State twice in the spring and fell in love.
Since then, he dominated camps over the summer and became a coveted receiver prospect. On Wednesday, he officially joined the best receiver room in America: Bryson Rodgers has signed his National Letter of Intent to Ohio State.
What does it mean for the Buckeyes? Let’s check it out.
Who is Bryson Rodgers?
Bryson Rodgers is a four-star wide receiver from Zephyrhills, Florida. He committed to the Buckeyes on April 17, 2022. Rodgers visited other top programs around the country in the spring before committing to Brian Hartline.
On3 Consensus Ranking: Four-star, No. 310 overall, No. 43 WR, No. 58 Florida
On3 Ranking: Four-star, No. 287 overall, No. 39 WR, No. 53 Florida
Hometown: Zephyrhills, Florida
High school: Winegrass Ranch
Rodgers is believed by many to be one of the most underrated wide receiver prospects in the country. He had offers from plenty of the best programs from around college football, but he couldn’t pass up the chance to be a star for the Buckeyes
He has been locked in with Ohio State ever since he committed in the spring. Rodgers hasn’t wavered at all in his pledge, even after three higher-rated wide receivers also committed to Ohio State this summer. He has not visited a program other than the Buckeyes since early April.
Rodgers is part of a special haul for wide receivers coach Brian Hartline. Five-star Noah Rogers and fellow four-star receivers Brandon Inniss and Carnell Tate are also in the class at the wide receiver position.
How did Rodgers end up at Ohio State?
Ohio State offered Bryson Rodgers on Jan. 26, 22, ahead of the curve compared to other notable top programs.
Rodgers had a chance to transfer to different high schools to challenge himself, but he stuck to his plan to stay at Wiregrass Ranch and become a star for his hometown school.
“My biggest intention this season was taking on a leadership role and helping my teammates play at the best of their capabilities,” Rodgers told Lettermen Row. “I still had fun this season, but it was a learning and growing process.
“Whenever I talked to [Ohio State] coach Day, he embraced my staying at Wiregrass and embraced that I took that challenge head-on.”
He certainly is excited to join Ohio State.
“I’m excited to get in there with coach Hartline,” Rodgers told Lettermen Row’s Matt Parker this fall. “He’s the best in the country, he knows the game very well, and he’s coaching a great receiver room right now that will be even better when our ’23 class gets there.”
Bryson Rodgers Scouting Report (On3)
Technician at receiver who is one of the best route-runners in the 2023 cycle. Has outstanding change of direction. Advanced with his releases. Shows the ability to stack cornerbacks off the line of scrimmage. Breaks off defensive backs at the top of the route. A coordinated mover. Runs with pace after the catch. Shows some play strength as he fights through contact. Plays both outside and in the slot for his high school. Likely projects as a slot long-term. Caught 42 balls for 642 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior. Has a thinner, slight frame, measuring at 6-foot-0.5, 173 pounds with a 30.75-inch arm and smaller hands. Older for the class, turning 18 years-old during his junior year.
