Scarlet Sunrise: Former Ohio State wide receiver Kaleb Brown transfers to Iowa
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Former Ohio State wide receiver Kaleb Brown transfers to Iowa
That was quick. Former Ohio State wide receiver Kaleb Brown announced Thursday that he is transferring to Iowa after entering the portal on April 30.
The second-year wideout from St. Rita (Chicago) High School is looking to jumpstart his career after getting buried on Ohio State’s ultra-talented depth chart.
Brown reeled in three catches for 13 yards during this year’s spring game. He arrived at Ohio State last summer as part of a four-man wide receiver class. Half of that group is now gone. Highly-touted prospect Caleb Burton also hit the portal in the spring window.
Brown was the No. 20 wideout nationally in the 2022 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He scattered 24 offensive snaps across four games last season, maxing out at nine offensive snaps against Wisconsin, per Pro Football Focus. Interestingly enough, Brown’s lone reception came against Iowa.
Given the Buckeyes’ collection of NFL talent at the top of the receiver room — plus, Ohio State’s remarkable 2023 class of wideouts — offensive snaps were going to be hard to come by for Brown in Year Two. The 5-foot-10, 196-pound Chicago native was, however, in the running for the starting punt returner role.
Now, he’ll have an opportunity to develop a rapport with new Iowa quarterback and former Michigan signal caller Cade McNamara.
Buckeyes slide in ESPN post-spring power rankings
Ohio State still has a lot to sort out before the start of the season. Most notably, the Buckeyes need to name a starting quarterback. But, regardless of who is under center, the offensive line remains a big question mark. Ohio State is replacing three starters up front, all of whom were drafted into the NFL, and the staff just brought in another offensive tackle to compete for one of those spots.
So while the Buckeyes made strides on the defensive side of the ball this spring, unknowns remain on offense, typically Ohio State’s strong suit.
ESPN senior writer Mark Schlabach released his post-spring power rankings, and he dropped the Buckeyes from No. 2 to No. 5.
For Schlabach’s complete power rankings, go here, but below is his top five:
- Georgia (previous ranking: 1)
- Michigan (previous ranking: 3)
- Florida State (previous ranking: 4)
- USC (previous ranking: 7)
- Ohio State (previous ranking: 2)
Flood of too-early mock drafts setting sky-high expectations for Buckeyes
The first 2024 mock draft from ESPN NFL Draft expect Todd McShay features six Ohio State first-round picks. Ohio State already has the most first-round selections all-time, and the Buckeyes will have one of their most talented rosters to date this coming season.
For reference, there have only been two drafts where a school has had six players taken in the opening round. Miami accomplished that feat in 2004, and Alabama followed 17 years later in 2021.
Lettermen Row examines McShay’s mock draft and how it’s just another offseason example of grand expectations for the Buckeyes in head coach Ryan Day’s fifth season as head coach.
There are always national title hopes at Ohio State, but with this kind of star power, potentially on both sides of the ball, the pressure is that much greater, especially because the program is approaching its 10-year anniversary of its last national title.
Counting down
Buckeyes vs. Indiana: 122 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 206 days
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