Brian Hartline has quietly become one of the most influential figures in modern college football, particularly at Ohio State, where his evolution from former Buckeye receiver to $2 million-a-year co-offensive coordinator has helped shape a powerhouse offensive identity. Promoted to full-time play-caller after Chip Kelly’s departure in early 2025, Hartline has been building toward this moment for years. A master recruiter and elite developer of wide receivers, he’s been the architect behind the explosion of talent that includes Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr., and now Jeremiah Smith. With the 2025 season potentially being his last in Columbus—amid growing speculation of looming NFL or head coaching opportunities—Hartline seems poised to unleash a pass-heavy attack like never before.
Last season, under Hartline’s co-leadership alongside Kelly, Ohio State’s offense averaged over 35 points per game and produced more than 4,200 passing yards. That campaign ended with a national championship, driven by a balanced offensive unit where quarterback Will Howard controlled the tempo and running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins each surpassed 1,000 yards rushing. But the defining weapon, even amid all that balance, was true freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith. While earlier in the season he was tracked at 934 yards, Smith ultimately shattered expectations by posting 1,315 receiving yards, 15 touchdowns, and several clutch performances in critical games. His emergence wasn’t just impressive—it was historic. Smith became the first true freshman in Ohio State history to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards and the centerpiece of an offense known for its receiver legacy.
Smith’s dominance was immediate and electrifying. He consistently stretched defenses vertically while also proving nearly impossible to cover on slants, crosses, and comeback routes. He possessed an uncanny blend of size, speed, body control, and polish. By season’s end, Smith had turned in four 100-yard receiving games, including a breakout performance against Oregon and a 103-yard, two-touchdown showing in the College Football Playoff semifinal against Tennessee. Perhaps the most iconic play of his young career came in the national championship game against Notre Dame, when he hauled in a 56-yard reception late in the fourth quarter that set up the title-sealing score. It was the kind of moment few freshmen even dream of, and for Smith, it merely punctuated a season of dominance.
Now, entering his sophomore season, Smith is the clear focal point of an offense that no longer features many of the stars from the previous year. Will Howard is gone. Henderson and Judkins have moved on. Emeka Egbuka, a steady veteran presence, is likely departing as well. What remains is a promising but unproven quarterback room headlined by Julian Sayin, a five-star freshman who enrolled early to compete. Also in the mix are Lincoln Kienholz and Tavien St. Clair, but signs point to Sayin as the most likely successor under center. That puts even more pressure on Smith—not just to produce, but to lead. Coaches have quietly encouraged him to take a larger vocal role in the locker room and film room, stepping into the leadership void left behind by Harrison and Egbuka.
And Brian Hartline will build the entire scheme around him. Having spent years designing receiver-friendly offenses, Hartline is likely to create even more receiver-heavy sets this fall, focusing on spacing, pre-snap movement, and formation variability to free up Smith. Expect three- and four-receiver alignments, motions that force mismatches, and a heavier reliance on vertical routes and play-action fakes to create space. The tempo will likely be quicker, with more short-to-intermediate throws early in games to get Sayin into rhythm and allow Smith to make plays after the catch. Hartline will continue to dial up deep shots as the game progresses, using Smith as the decoy or dagger depending on coverage.
Supporting Smith are rising talents like Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss, both of whom were relatively quiet during their freshman campaigns but flashed enough to suggest major breakout potential. Tate, in particular, has been a strong route-runner with dependable hands and could be the second option if Smith draws double coverage. Inniss is a versatile inside-outside receiver with good speed and burst. Together, they form a trio that could rival the Harrison–Egbuka–Fleming core from two seasons ago. There’s also the wild card of tight end Jelani Thurman, a mismatch weapon in the red zone who could take pressure off the receivers if defenses shift their focus.
The running game, while no longer the explosive force it was in 2024, remains serviceable. Transfers like CJ Donaldson and promising sophomores such as James Peoples are expected to split carries. Donaldson, a powerful back with good vision, could be a key contributor in short-yardage and red zone scenarios. Peoples, quicker and more elusive, may be featured in screen packages and zone runs that stretch defenses horizontally. But neither is likely to dominate games the way Henderson or Judkins did, meaning the bulk of the offense will shift to the passing game.
That suits Hartline’s style perfectly. A former NFL receiver himself, Hartline believes in spacing, timing, and quarterback trust. His designs often incorporate layered route concepts, stack formations, and plenty of motion to diagnose coverage pre-snap. With a young quarterback at the helm, expect him to use plenty of quick reads and check-down options early in the season. Bubble screens, quick slants, and drag routes will serve to protect Sayin from taking unnecessary hits while also letting playmakers do the work after the catch. Once Sayin gets comfortable, Hartline will likely unleash more downfield throws—especially to Smith, who’s one of the few receivers in the country who can beat press coverage, high-point contested throws, and run away from safeties.
There’s no mistaking that this season is shaping up as a defining one not only for Smith, but for Hartline himself. Rumors persist that NFL teams have circled Hartline for possible coaching interviews, particularly as a wide receivers coach or passing game coordinator. Some even believe he could step into a head coaching role at a Group of Five school or mid-tier Power Five program. If that’s the case, then 2025 will be his grand finale at Ohio State—and what better way to go out than with one of the most talented receivers in program history and a young quarterback ready to make a name for himself?
There’s also the matter of legacy. Hartline has already helped produce four first-round NFL wide receivers. Smith is widely expected to become the fifth. Hartline has been honored multiple times as a top recruiter and position coach, but 2025 is the year he either cements himself as an elite offensive mind or risks being remembered as a great assistant who couldn’t fully translate his talents to play-calling. With the departure of Chip Kelly, the keys are now fully in Hartline’s hands. Ryan Day, for all his input, has stepped further back from the offense to focus on overall program management. That means Hartline’s vision will shape the Buckeyes’ identity from Week 1 forward.
If there’s pressure, Hartline isn’t showing it. By all accounts, he’s embraced the moment, doubling down on his offensive philosophies and pouring energy into developing both Sayin and the receiving corps. Spring practices and summer workouts focused heavily on timing, communication, and red zone efficiency—areas where young quarterbacks often struggle. There’s an understanding within the program that mistakes will come early, but the goal is to be peaking by November. A favorable early schedule should give the team time to find rhythm before entering the heart of Big Ten play.
