Recruiting: Ohio State WR commit Inniss flexing muscle on defense

FORT LAUDERDALE — Brandon Inniss laughed when asked whether he should be referred to as an athlete or safety instead of a wide receiver.

It’s an understandable response. The Plantation-American Heritage senior long has been considered one of the nation’s premier receivers in the Class of 2023, but there’s no denying the impact he’s having on the defensive side of the ball.

Inniss, an Ohio State commit, had a touchdown-saving interception, broke up a pass and had a touchdown-saving tackle as the Patriots (5-1, No. 2 in Class 2M on the USA Today Florida Network Top 100) beat Cardinal Gibbons (5-1, No. 3 in 2M) 21-2 in a key district 12-2M game on Saturday afternoon.

He also caught a touchdown pass, extending his streak to six consecutive games with a score this season.

The offensive skill is expected from Inniss, the No. 4 player on the USA Today Florida Network Top 100. But his defensive ability also has been impressive.

He’s only played on defense twice this season — the last two games — but he’s made a highlight reel play each week. Inniss had a big hit against Chaminade-Madonna on Sept. 16 to force a fumble.

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Before the Chaminade game, the last time Inniss played defense in a high school game was his sophomore year at TRU Prep.

“(Chaminade) has some great receivers, so I asked if I asked if I could play defense and they put a game plan in,” Inniss said. “I love football. I love to be on the football field. Wherever I can play, whatever I can do for my team to win is what I do.”

Saturday, Inniss’ interception helped seal the Patriots' win. Gibbons was trailing 14-2, but drove inside the Patriots' 20-yard line after a long run by Kamari Moulton (FAU commit). On the next play, Inniss stepped in front of Dylan Rizk’s pass at the goal line.

“We been preaching it all week,” Inniss said. “I was looking for anything coming across the middle, which is the No. 3 receiver. I saw him, he tried to fake stop, block a little bit and then come into the post. We’d been working on that all week. (Our coaches) put in a great game plan. I just executed the play.

“I’ve been doing this since I was 7 years old.”

Inniss committed to Ohio State in June and has not wavered in that commitment despite strong attempts by several schools, including Miami and Alabama.

He said he currently has no plans to take any official visits before national signing day in December.

“I’m locked in,” Inniss said. “I’ve got to show loyalty where they’ve showed loyalty to me.”

RB Mark Fletcher Jr. still solid to Buckeyes

American Heritage senior running back Mark Fletcher Jr. (Ohio State commit) rushed for over 100 yards and a touchdown on Saturday. Fletcher said he’s being recruiting heavily by Miami, which had two coaches at the game Saturday, but he’s firm on his commitment to Ohio State.

“I feel great about it,” Fletcher said of his commitment. “Everybody asks me that every day, but I’m not changing my mind.”

Fletcher said he understands the constant questions about his status, though.

“A lot of people during this day, they like to decommit,” he said. “People are just interested about if I’m interested in decommitting. I’m all Ohio State. It doesn’t bother me at all.”

Quick slants

American Heritage safety Daemon Fagan (N.C. State) had a fumble recovery for the second consecutive game. It was one of three takeaways for the Patriots' defense in their territory on Saturday.

American Heritage senior cornerback Shamar McNeil (Missouri) commit intercepted a pass in the second quarter. McNeil also upended Rizk just short of the goal line on fourth-and-goal on the Chiefs opening drive.

Gibbons’ lone score was a first-quarter safety, giving the Chiefs the distinction of having safeties against two nationally ranked opponents this season. Gibbons also recorded a safety against DeMatha (Maryland) in the season opener.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Recruiting: Ohio State WR commit Inniss flexing muscle on defense