When you talk about the golden era of Ohio State wide receivers, names like Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, and Marvin Harrison Jr. usually suck all the oxygen out of the room. It makes sense. Those guys are NFL superstars. But if you were watching closely between 2016 and 2019, you know there was another guy. Austin Mack.
He wasn't the guy putting up 1,500 yards or dancing in the end zone every other possession. Honestly, he was the guy doing the dirty work. He was the "X" receiver who would go across the middle, take a massive hit, and somehow hold onto the ball to move the chains on 3rd-and-8. Every championship team needs a guy like that. For Ohio State, Austin Mack was that guy.
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The Fort Wayne Phenom
Coming out of Bishop Luers High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Mack was a big deal. He was a four-star recruit, the top-ranked player in Indiana, and basically had his pick of any school in the country. He chose Columbus.
Most people don't realize how high the expectations were when he stepped on campus in 2016. He was the first freshman to "lose his black stripe" that year—a Buckeye tradition that signals a newcomer has officially become a member of the team. He did it in world-record time. It felt like he was destined to be the next Michael Thomas.
The Gritty Reality of the "Zone 6" Rotation
The thing about playing wide receiver at Ohio State under Urban Meyer and Ryan Day is that you’re never the only "dude." You’re sharing targets with Terry McLaurin, Parris Campbell, and K.J. Hill.
Mack's career stats won't blow your mind. He finished with 79 receptions for 1,050 yards and six touchdowns. Those are solid numbers, but in the modern era of explosive passing, they look almost modest.
But stats are liars.
What the box score doesn't tell you is how many times Mack cleared out a defender so Parris Campbell could hit a 70-yard slant. It doesn't show the downfield blocking. In 2017, during the massive comeback win against Penn State, Mack made a legendary grab on the sideline that kept the momentum alive. He had this weird knack for making the hardest catches look routine while occasionally dropping the easy ones. It was part of the charm, I guess.
The Injury Bug and the 2018 Heartbreak
2018 was supposed to be his massive breakout year. He was finally a primary starter. He had Dwayne Haskins throwing him the ball in the most prolific passing offense in school history.
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Then came the Purdue game.
It was a nightmare night for the Buckeyes overall, but for Mack, it was devastating. He suffered a foot injury that required surgery. He missed the rest of the regular season. While his roommates and best friends were lighting up the scoreboard, Mack was stuck in a walking boot. He eventually made it back for his senior year in 2019, proving he could play multiple spots (X and Z receiver) just to help the team fit Olave and Wilson onto the field. That’s leadership. You don’t see that kind of selflessness often in high-level college ball.
Life After Columbus: The NFL and the North
After going undrafted in 2020, Mack signed with the New York Giants. He actually saw some real action there, catching seven passes for 91 yards, including a beautiful 50-yarder against Washington.
But the NFL is a business. A cold one.
Injuries followed him. He bounced around practice squads—Titans, 49ers, Falcons. Eventually, he found a second life in the CFL with the Montreal Alouettes. In 2023, he absolutely went off. He racked up over 1,100 yards, became a CFL All-Star, and won a Grey Cup. It turns out that when you give the guy consistent targets, he’s still that four-star talent everyone saw in Indiana years ago.
Why Austin Mack Matters to Buckeye Fans
If you’re a casual fan, you might forget Austin Mack in ten years. But if you’re a die-hard, you won't. He represents the bridge between the old-school "power run" Ohio State and the new "Wide Receiver U" identity.
He stayed four years. He graduated. He beat Michigan every single time he played them.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to really appreciate what Mack brought to the table, go back and watch the 2019 Michigan game or the 2017 Penn State highlights. Don't look at the scoreboard; just watch #11. Watch how he blocks. Watch how he wins his matchups at the line of scrimmage. It’s a masterclass in being a teammate. You can also follow his journey in the CFL, where he's currently one of the most dominant threats in the league.