Even Ohio State wide receivers who transfer can’t be stopped

Sam Wiglusz had to transfer from Ohio State for a better opportunity, and he’s been lighting up the MAC lately.

It’s not an exaggeration to say Ohio State has become a “WRU” in college football, with a pipeline of talent to the NFL (Michael Thomas, Terry McLaurin, Chris Olave) that shows no signs of ending. So it’s hard for an unheralded prospect to get noticed. But that’s what Sam Wiglusz was taking on when he decided to walk on in Columbus, rather than go to an FCS school on a partial scholarship as his recruitment fell flat.

Buckeyes’ wide receivers coach Brian Hartline has gotten due credit for his role in recruiting the talented run of receivers to Ohio State.

Wiglusz recently told Eleven Warriors about Hartline propping him up back in 2018.

"I remember vividly my freshman year, Coach Hart looked at me at a point and he was like, ‘No matter what anybody ever tells you, you can play here.’ And then from that point forward it was like, alright, let’s just try and improve as much I can, get as big and strong as fast as I can and see what I can do,”"

Wiglusz had just three catches for 25 yards over four seasons at Ohio State. The Brecksville, Ohio stayed in his home state and transferred to Ohio University for his fifth season, and it’s safe to say the move has worked out.

Sam Wiglusz is lighting it up after transferring from Ohio State

Against Buffalo on Tuesday night, as weekday MAC-tion gets its annual November stage, Wiglusz had six catches for 131 yards and two touchdowns.

Over his last six games, Wiglusz has 43 receptions for 608 yards and seven touchdowns. Overall this season he is fourth in the FBS in touchdowns (nine), 11th in receptions (56) and 22nd in receiving yards (716).

Hartline talked about Wiglusz on Tuesday.

"Wiggy’s killing it. … I wouldn’t say we’re too shocked here,” Hartline said Tuesday. “I mean, we gave him raving reviews when he was trying to figure out his next steps and what we can get done here. And unfortunately it didn’t work out here, but we always knew what he was and what he was capable of….Obviously we talk probably every couple weeks or so, but social media gives you that platform where you feel like you talk like every day.But no, he’s killing it. We all love Sammy, we all follow each other"

Five Buckeyes players made the drive to Athens after practice on Tuesday to see their former teammate play. Wiglusz is clearly well-regarded by everyone back at Ohio State, even if he had to go elsewhere for his chance to shine.