Brian Hartline Reveals Non-Negotiable Traits for Elite WR Prospects
If you want to develop elite wide receivers at the highest level of college football, Brian Hartline is the man for the job.
Now the head coach at USF, Hartline has developed a reputation for recruiting and developing some of the best pass-catchers in the game during his tenure as an assistant at Ohio State.
Under Hartline's tutelage, the Buckeyes have landed six wide receivers in the first round of the NFL Draft since 2022: Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Carnell Tate. That fraternity will likely add a seventh next year with Jeremiah Smith, who is widely regarded as the top prospect in the 2027 NFL Draft class.
How does Hartline identify the most vital traits when recruiting top talent at the position?
In an exclusive interview with Athlon Sports, Hartline broke down multiple aspects of what he's looking for in receiver recruits.
"It's the person over the player," Hartline said. "You've got to be able to do a lot of things athletically, don't get me wrong. You've got to check a lot of boxes, but a lot of guys can do a lot of similar things. I think it's how they're wired, how coachable they are, how competitive they are."
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Hartline said there's an important balance between the physical tools and mental traits a receiver prospect brings to the table.
"I think it's their mental makeup, if you will, and best trying to identify that," Hartline said. "That is the non-negotiable in my mind - that and movement skills. You have to be able to move as a receiver. It's really hard to be a successful receiver when you're covered all the time. So, but I would say more than that, it's the mental makeup of the athlete."
Two of Hartline's recent prized recruits at the position, Bryson Rogers and CJ Hicks, followed him from Columbus to Tampa when he took his first head-coaching job this offseason with the Bulls. But they won't be getting any special treatment.
"Whatever roles they get, they'll be earned," Hartline said. "That's to be determined."
Bulls fans will be hoping for the same level of success from Hartline, not just at the receiver position, but for an entire program that's on the upswing.
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This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 1:22 PM.