Eric Boggs
Jeremiah Smith, the standout Ohio State wide receiver, is quickly establishing himself as not only one of the Buckeyes’ most dynamic players, but also as one of their most vocal leaders heading into the 2025 season. In a recent interview with The Athletic‘s Manny Navarro, Smith’s candid thoughts on quarterback Julian Sayin and, more notably, on the rivalry with Michigan have sparked both excitement and pride across Buckeye Nation.
Speaking about Julian Sayin, the highly-touted quarterback prospect vying for the starting role, Smith didn’t hold back. He called Sayin’s arm “different,” praised his intelligence, and noted that the California native is beginning to step into a leadership role. While Ryan Day and the coaching staff haven’t officially named a starter, Smith’s comments were enough to stir speculation that Sayin may already be pulling ahead in the battle with Lincoln Kienholz. Still, most level-headed Buckeye fans understand this isn’t an official declaration—it’s a respected teammate giving a confident endorsement. For those who watched the spring game or followed Sayin’s development since arriving in Columbus, this isn’t exactly a bombshell. The talent has always been there, and the upside is enormous. But what really stands out is how Smith, still early in his collegiate career, is already showing signs of being the kind of leader this team needs to get back to the Big Ten mountaintop and the College Football Playoff.
Where Smith really captured the hearts of the Buckeye faithful, though, was in his comments about The Game. When asked about losing to Michigan last season, Smith spoke from the heart: “I’m not a sore loser, but I hate losing. And losing to that team up north was pretty crazy… I didn’t want to go to Ohio State and lose to that team up north. I just hate them. Just something about them. For the next two years, I promise you I will not lose to them.” That’s the kind of fire that Ohio State fans have been desperate to hear—not just from players, but from leadership as a whole. For too long, there’s been a perception that the Buckeyes have treated the rivalry as “just another game.” And while that tone may have helped calm nerves, it hasn’t delivered wins against Michigan. Smith’s comments are a loud, passionate rebuttal to that mindset. He’s not shying away from the emotion. He’s embracing it—and demanding more from himself and his teammates.
Ohio State hasn’t lost sight of the bigger picture. The 2025 season brings heavyweight matchups against Texas and Penn State. But none of those games will define Ryan Day’s tenure the way Michigan does. Smith’s fierce honesty about the rivalry reflects the emotions of Buckeye fans everywhere—emotions that demand the team treat The Game with the gravity it deserves. Leaders like Woody Hayes, Jim Tressel, and Urban Meyer all made it clear how important beating Michigan was. Now, Smith is carrying that torch, and fans hope Ryan Day and the rest of the staff will do the same publicly, not just behind closed doors.
With expectations sky-high following last year’s national championship, the Buckeyes are poised for another deep run. But as Smith made clear, the path to any title must go through Ann Arbor. His voice, his edge, and his pride in being a Buckeye could be exactly what this team needs to not only win the big games—but to reclaim dominance in the one that matters most.
