LOS ANGELES — Jeremiah Smith is not merely another talented wide receiver at Ohio State; he is poised to become perhaps the finest ever to don the Buckeyes uniform. Cornerback Denzel Burke shared his admiration, stating, “He’s already on that verge, so really happy for him.”
Smith’s impressive performance speaks volumes, as he has shattered Cris Carter’s freshman records in receptions, yardage, and touchdown receptions at the school. The young athlete from Miami Gardens, Florida, is expected to build on his strong stats of 63 receptions, 1,037 yards, and 12 touchdowns as he faces top-ranked Oregon in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl on Wednesday.
Burke, who has faced elite talents in practice, recognizes Smith’s potential. He has seen players like Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Marvin Harrison Jr. go in the top 20 of recent NFL drafts, with senior Emeka Egbuka likely to follow suit. Smith, however, possesses unique qualities that set him apart from his predecessors.
Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 225 pounds, Smith was already a highly sought-after recruit for his athletic prowess. He combines remarkable physical attributes with exceptional skills like strong hands, contested catch ability, sudden bursts of speed, and impressive tracking of the ball, making him a significant deep threat; he has five receptions of over 50 yards this season.
Chip Kelly, Ohio State’s offensive coordinator, notes that while many players with dazzling metrics may take their abilities for granted, Smith is not one of them. He remarked, “That’s rare… he’s truly driven to be great.” Kelly emphasized the mindset that distinguishes great players from merely good ones, praising Smith’s professionalism and the determination he brings to every practice and game day.
Despite his record-breaking freshman season, which Kelly regards as one of the best in college football history, Smith remains hungry for improvement. “He wants to continue to get better every day, and that’s what makes him so special,” Kelly noted, reinforcing the idea that Smith aims for excellence beyond his current success.
The consensus top high school player, Smith has impressed wide receivers coach Brian Hartline, who recognized early in spring practices just how impactful the newcomer would be. Hartline described Smith’s daily performance as consistently outstanding, both as a player and as a teammate.
Burke echoed these sentiments, initially aware that Smith held the title of the top recruit but surprised by the player’s capabilities.
In response to the high expectations placed on him, Smith is focused on self-improvement. “It’s a blessing, but I can’t let that statement just get in my head,” he remarked. Smith, who has earned accolades such as Big Ten freshman of the year and a spot on the Associated Press All-America second team, remains dedicated to progressing throughout his remaining years at Ohio State.
With a critical match against Oregon in mind, Smith seeks to make amends for his past performance against them, where he tallied nine catches for 100 yards and a touchdown in a narrow 32-31 defeat on October 12. He also had a significant contribution in the Buckeyes’ opening playoff victory over Tennessee, where he secured six catches totaling 103 yards and two touchdowns.
Reflecting on the Tennessee game, Smith stated, “Just took shots and put it up on them, and got to continue to do that.” His objective is clear: perform well in the Rose Bowl to drive Ohio State closer to a national title and solidify the high expectations that Burke believes Smith can live up to by his college career’s end.
“I’ve seen a lot of great receivers,” Burke said, referencing his experiences with elite talents. Ultimately, he recognizes Smith’s distinct attributes and is excited about his future contributions. “He’s Jeremiah Smith. He’s a whole different person, so that’s awesome.”
