Ohio State is poised to employ Cortez Hankton as their new wide receivers coach, according to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz. One’s Pete Nakos corroborated the report. He’s been LSU’s co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach for the past two years.
Hankton will succeed Brian Hartline, who accepted an offer to be USF’s next head coach. Hartline has been coaching Ohio State’s wide receivers since 2018. He coached standouts including Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Emeka Egbuka, and, most recently, Jeremiah Smith.Cortez Hankton will now seek to continue Hartline’s success with wide receivers.
LSU rated No. 63 in the country in passing yards this season, but starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was injured for much of the season, and the school sacked head coach Brian Kelly during the season.In 2024, LSU had the seventh-highest passing yards per game in collegiate football. For reference, Ohio State finished 29th that year.
Ohio State
Hankton has coached LSU wide receivers since 2022, after serving as co-offensive coordinator for the previous two seasons. In addition to teaching the wide receivers, he served as LSU’s pass game coordinator in 2022 and 2023, when Jayden Daniels was one of the most productive passers in the nation.
Hankton previously served as Georgia’s pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach from 2018 to 2021. He formerly coached wide receivers at Vanderbilt and Dartmouth.Before becoming a coach, Hankton was a terrific receiver. He is Texas Southern University’s all-time leading receiver and owns the program record for most receiving yards in a single season.
Despite going undrafted, Hankton played in the NFL from 2003 to 2008. He ended his career with 34 receptions for 310 yards and two scores.He’ll bring a plethora of knowledge to Ohio State as they prepare to compete for the national championship in 2026. Hankton should have enough talent at his disposal.
Jeremiah Smith, the two-time Big Ten Receiver of the Year, is entering his junior year. Furthermore, Ohio State has numerous key receivers who are eligible to return next season.
Smith has seven catches for 157 yards and one touchdown against Miami in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. Unfortunately, Smith’s outstanding individual performance was not enough to propel the Buckeyes to victory. The Hurricanes finally defeated OSU 24-14, ending the season.
Cortez Hankton Brings Extensive Experience
Hankton arrives at Ohio State after a successful tenure at LSU, where he played a major role in developing some of the nation’s top pass-catching talent. Known as an excellent recruiter and teacher of the game, he helped LSU attract elite wide receiver prospects and maximize their potential on the field.
Before joining LSU, Hankton built a strong reputation at several major college football programs. His ability to connect with players and develop future professionals has earned him respect throughout the coaching community.
The Buckeyes believe his experience in the highly competitive SEC will translate well to the Big Ten and strengthen Ohio State’s already impressive coaching staff.
Replacing Brian Hartline Is No Easy Task
Few assistant coaches in college football have enjoyed as much success as Brian Hartline during his time as Ohio State’s wide receivers coach. Under Hartline’s leadership, the Buckeyes developed a remarkable pipeline of NFL talent.
Players such as Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Emeka Egbuka flourished within Ohio State’s system and became household names in college football. Hartline’s recruiting success also helped Ohio State consistently land some of the nation’s top receiver prospects.
Because of those accomplishments, replacing Hartline was always going to be a challenging task. However, many analysts believe Hankton is one of the few coaches capable of maintaining the program’s elite standard.
Recruiting Impact Could Be Significant
One of the biggest reasons Ohio State pursued Hankton was his reputation as a high-level recruiter. Recruiting battles for elite wide receivers are often among the most competitive in college football, with powerhouse programs from across the country fighting for the same prospects.
Hankton has demonstrated the ability to establish strong relationships with recruits and their families. His success in talent-rich recruiting regions could help Ohio State continue attracting elite athletes despite increasing competition from SEC schools and other national contenders.
The Buckeyes have consistently ranked among the nation’s best recruiting programs, and Hankton’s arrival could further strengthen those efforts.
What This Means for Ohio State’s Offense
Ohio State’s offense has long been built around explosive passing attacks and dynamic playmakers at wide receiver. The program’s ability to develop elite receivers has become a major selling point for recruits and quarterbacks alike.
With Hankton now overseeing the position group, expectations will remain extremely high. Fans will be watching closely to see how he develops the next generation of Buckeye receivers and whether he can continue the program’s impressive tradition of producing NFL-ready talent.
His coaching philosophy and player-development skills should fit well within Ohio State’s offensive system, giving the program confidence moving forward.
Looking Ahead
The hiring of Cortez Hankton represents an important move for Ohio State as it prepares for future championship runs. While replacing Brian Hartline’s production and influence will not be easy, Hankton brings the experience, recruiting ability, and coaching credentials necessary to succeed.
As the Buckeyes continue competing for Big Ten titles and College Football Playoff appearances, the development of elite wide receivers will remain a critical factor in their success. With Hankton now leading that effort, Ohio State hopes its wide receiver pipeline will remain among the best in college football for years to come.
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