The No. 4 player on this list has been said to have more potential than any receiver Urban Meyer has ever coached. The physical attributes are there, but the process of bringing it all together is ongoing.
No. 4 — Binjimen Victor, Jr. Wide Receiver
Binjimen Victor nearly redshirted as a true freshman in 2016, but he did end up playing late in the season as the Buckeyes were looking for any kind of help they could get on offense.
Victor finished that season with four catches for 64 yards and a touchdown, including a 21-yard reception against Clemson in the playoffs.
Last year as a sophomore, Victor earned a spot in the six-man starting rotation at the X receiver spot with classmate Austin Mack.
Victor finished sixth on the team with 23 receptions, and his 349 yards receiving were fifth on the team. His seven touchdown receptions were second on the team.
He emerged as a red-zone threat last year and has continued to progress as a weapon on the sidelines. Consistency was still a concern, but his next move forward could be the difference for the Buckeyes this season.
Like others in the receivers room, Victor’s numbers dipped late last year. He caught passes in just two of OSU’s final seven games.
Statistical History
What He Does Well
Athletically, Binjimen Victor does everything well. He is a big receiver (6-4 200) who also has the speed to get deep.
He can high-point a football in jump-ball situations, but needs to improve his ability to bring the ball down through the hand fighting with defensive backs.
Victor’s reach makes him a mismatch for just about any defensive back, and his leaping ability makes his catch radius even more difficult to defend.
Each day, Victor has improved upon his ability to separate himself from cornerbacks, and the further he gets away from them, the less likely they will be to knock the ball out of his hands when he is trying to secure a catch.
Binjimen Victor in 2018
Teammates and coaches are expecting big things from Binjimen Victor, but some in the fan base are in a wait-and-see mode.
The clips that Ohio State has shared from fall camp so far have shown Victor winning deep battles, getting separation, and making defensive backs look a bit lost. If this is the norm for Victor this season, then quarterback Dwayne Haskins is going to be a very happy man.
Victor proved to be a talented option in the red zone last year, which is where four of his touchdown catches came. Two of them came from 21 and 23 yards out, which is essentially the red zone as well. His lone touchdown well outside of the red zone was a 48-yarder against Michigan State where he broke a tackle for the final 10 yards after catching a deep pass from J.T. Barrett.
That deep ball should be more prevalent this season for Victor, but the red zone option won’t be going anywhere any time soon.
If the passing game remains consistent all season long, you could see Binjimen Victor with 8-10 touchdown catches even splitting 50% of the starter’s reps with Austin Mack.
What They Are Saying
“His whole mindset is different, honestly. Throughout the past year, Ben’s whole thing was just going with the flow. He knew he was talented and he thought that would get him through. The kid’s work ethic this offseason is out of this world. He’s putting on weight, gaining muscle, getting ripped up. I’m excited for people to see him in pads, honestly. That’s the most potential I’ve ever seen in a kid. Just to be that size, being able to stop on a dime, and being able to do the things that he can do. He’s starting to figure it out.” — Parris Campbell on Binjimen Victor
“Just figuring out himself and figuring out the things that he needs to do to be the best he can be. Don’t get me wrong, he’s talented. Top of the top. He could be one of the best, but he’s figuring out that it’s going to take a little more. It’s going to take my working and doing things that other guys aren’t doing. He’s figuring it out. He’s definitely close. I think it helped a lot just with the guys in the room being on him. I would kind of mess with him every day, saying, ‘Ben, you could be one of the greatest.’ He always thought I was kind of playing around, but he’s starting to understand that I was being serious saying ‘Ben, you’ve got the most talent out of anybody on the team. You could be this, you could be that.’ If Ben gets there, you could compare him to some of the greatest that play right now.” — Parris Campbell on Binjimen Victor
“He’s still got a ways to go. That’s arguably one of the most talented receivers we’ve ever had. It’s consistency and the fight and those kinds of things because when he does it, it’s fun to watch. Very talented guy.” — Urban Meyer on Binjimen Victor this spring