Eric Boggs
Jeremiah Smith’s highly anticipated debut for Ohio State did not disappoint, as the true freshman wide receiver delivered a performance for the ages in the Buckeyes’ season opener. Smith hauled in six receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns, making an immediate impact and living up to the considerable hype that surrounded him entering the season.
From the first snap, it was clear that Smith had the potential to be something special. Despite a brief hiccup early in the game—a dropped pass that could have rattled any young player—Smith remained unfazed, demonstrating the mental toughness that Ohio State coaches and fans had heard so much about. Head coach Ryan Day was quick to praise Smith’s resilience, noting, “Yeah, you can see the talent. And like you said, we’re gonna play right through just about all of it. You know, I think he’s another guy. I mean, you know, sometimes you look at him, you don’t even think he’s quite human, but he is… You can see the talent there. And he’s gonna sleep good tonight, though, I can tell you that.”
Quarterback Will Howard, who connected with Smith for both of his touchdowns, also lauded the freshman’s ability to make plays in critical moments. “If he’s pressed and it’s one-on-one, put it up, and he’ll make the play, and that’s exactly what he did,” Howard said. “I just saw he was pressed, you know, so I tried to put it up over top, and he actually made a little adjustment and came back to it, and, I mean, that’s all I got to do is just, you know, give him a chance, and he’s going to do the rest, and you guys saw that today.”
Smith’s performance was the best debut by a Buckeye wide receiver since 1996. In a 70-7 blowout win over Rice, Michael Wiley, who was a running back, caught two passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Smith’s six-catch, 92-yard, two-touchdown performance may not have eclipsed Wiley’s yardage, but it certainly placed him in elite company, particularly given the level of competition.
After the game, Smith spoke to the media about his experience, saying, “Oh yeah, for sure. I mean, I was a recruit, so I can’t say it been no visit, but actually being out here on the field and playing and getting the full experience of walking out that tunnel was something I will never forget. And, I mean, just scoring that first touchdown felt so great and I just can’t thank myself. I just gotta thank God and the man above.”
Smith’s ability to bounce back from early mistakes and his poise under pressure have quickly earned him the trust of his coaches and teammates. It’s clear that Smith has all the tools to be a major contributor for Ohio State this season and beyond. As he continues to develop and build chemistry with Howard, the sky’s the limit for what he can achieve in a Buckeye uniform.
Reflecting on his performance, Smith remained grounded, acknowledging both the successes and areas for improvement. “I could build on it by just not dropping the ball. I mean, I feel like I could have a better game. I just made mistakes and just continue to work and just get better each and every day,” Smith said.
If this debut is any indication, Ohio State fans have plenty to be excited about with Jeremiah Smith. The freshman phenom looks poised to write his own chapter in the storied history of Buckeye football.
