Former NFL wide receiver Brian Hartline had a relatively impressive NFL career, playing seven seasons split between the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns.
He was able to record multiple seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards in his career. But while he had a solid NFL career, he may be even better as a coach.
Hartline took over as Ohio State’s wide receivers coach in 2018 after one season as an offensive analyst and has had an immediate impact at his alma mater that’s still felt in 2022, especially on the recruiting trail.
Hartline’s name was trending on social media on Monday after top recruit wide receiver Carnell Tate announced his commitment to play for the Buckeyes.
This one for the city🥂 pic.twitter.com/NUU22zp1sc
— Carnell Tate (@carnelltate_) June 20, 2022
The former NFL receiver helped recruit Tate, who told 247 Sports on Monday that Hartline is a big reason why he decided Ohio State was right for him.
“Coach (Brian) Hartline is what made Ohio State right for me,” said Tate. “His development is very important to me. I know he would help develop me into a first-round pick and a great receiver.
Since 2019, Hartline has earned commitments from five five-star receivers, the most of any program in the country in that timeframe, including New York Jets first-round draft pick Garrett Wilson.
Since the 2019 recruiting cycle, Ohio State receivers coach Brian Hartline has earned commitments from five five-star receivers: Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Julian Fleming, Emeka Egbuka and now Carnell Tate.
— RJ Young (@RJ_Young) June 20, 2022
Many around the college football world have taken notice of Hartline’s talent both as a recruiter and as a coach.
Another big time receiver is coming to Columbus @SpectrumNews1OH @brianhartline continues to dominate on the recruiting front. Olave and Wilson going in the first round certainly helps! https://t.co/YE5saN8JfU
— Tino Bovenzi (@TinoBovenzi) June 20, 2022
Ohio State WR coach Brian Hartline is a pretty good recruiter, I’d say.
Just an insane run of WR talent. pic.twitter.com/DINNubXa5y
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) June 20, 2022
Brian Hartline may be the best skill position coach in the country. Hell, he may be the best position coach in the country. https://t.co/2ltdUzC0Ty
— Andrew Hammond (@ahammALDC) June 20, 2022
Saban, Smart, Dabo, and a few others are out there with good staffs and resources too, but Ryan Day has Larry Johnson AND Brian Hartline. Anything short of a National title during his tenure has become unacceptable.
— Ken Carman (@KenCarman) June 20, 2022
That man @brianhartline is on an absolute tear. https://t.co/meEACKpKQF
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) June 20, 2022
It’s almost laughable what @brianhartline is doing in recruiting lol. Build that man a statue next to woody!
— Tyvis Powell (@1Tyvis) June 20, 2022
It is also clear that Hartline is a great coach when it comes to technique and skill on the field as well, as he was voted the FootballScoop wide receivers coach of the year last season.
Given how excellent he has been as an assistant to this point in his young coaching career, it is certainly plausible that Hartline could find himself rising up the coaching ranks quickly, even become a high-level head coach somewhere in college football in the near future.
