His effort and dedication have taken him to another level, Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day has promised to make WR Jeremiah Smith the…
From the moment Jeremiah Smith stepped onto the campus in Columbus, it was clear he wasn’t your typical freshman. The top-ranked wide receiver in the 2024 recruiting class came to Ohio State with sky-high expectations—and somehow, he’s already starting to exceed them. Through tireless work, an unshakable mindset, and early flashes of greatness on the field, Smith has quickly caught the attention of head coach Ryan Day.
“His effort and dedication have taken him to another level,” Day said following spring practices. “Jeremiah has the talent, no doubt. But it’s the way he approaches the game—the way he prepares—that makes him special. He’s ready to be a centerpiece of what we do here.”
That’s no small praise coming from Day, who has overseen a pipeline of elite wide receiver talent at Ohio State names like Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, and Marvin Harrison Jr. Now, he believes Jeremiah Smith is next in that lineage, and he’s ready to build the Buckeyes’ offense with the true freshman as a central figure.
Smith’s rise has been impossible to ignore. Coaches and teammates alike have been blown away by his maturity, football IQ, and relentless work ethic. While most freshmen take time to adjust to the speed and physicality of college football, Smith has looked like he belongs from Day One.
“Every rep, every drill he’s locked in,” said wide receivers coach Brian Hartline. “He doesn’t waste a moment. That’s what separates guys who are talented from guys who become great. Jeremiah’s already putting in the work to be great.”
Despite being just months removed from high school, Smith has earned first-team reps during practice, showing elite route-running ability, strong hands, and a deep understanding of the playbook. Beyond that, his drive to learn from veteran teammates and coaches has made him a quick study—and a natural leader in the making.
“He asks questions like a senior,” Hartline added. “He’s humble but hungry. You don’t find that combination often.”
With uncertainty at the quarterback position following departures to the NFL, Smith could play a critical role in stabilizing and elevating Ohio State’s offense. Ryan Day has hinted that no matter who lines up under center, the game plan will lean heavily on getting the ball into Jeremiah’s hands.
“This program has always been about putting our best players in position to make plays,” Day said. “Jeremiah’s going to be that guy for us—and we’re going to trust him with a big role, even as a freshman.”
For Smith, it’s all part of the plan. He came to Ohio State not just to play, but to compete at the highest level and win championships. So far, he’s backing up every bit of hype with sweat, precision, and the kind of commitment that defines stars before they shine.
If his current trajectory holds, Jeremiah Smith won’t just be the next great Buckeye wideout he might become the new face of Ohio State football.
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