Ohio State Buckeyes freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith entered the 2024 college football season with significant hype as the top-rated player in his recruiting class, and he certainly delivered on that promise. Immediately securing a spot as one of Ohio State’s starting wide receivers, Smith quickly emerged as one of the most dominant players in the country, finishing the season with 76 catches for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns. This translated to an impressive average of 4.8 receptions, 82.2 yards, and nearly a touchdown per game. In fact, his performance was so exceptional that he surpassed even his coaches’ lofty expectations.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day remarked on Smith’s talent, stating, “Yeah, he’s obviously a special talent. We had a plan coming in, and I think Brian Hartline has done an unbelievable job throughout the recruiting process, along with his family, in implementing that plan.” He added, “What we envisioned this season came true, maybe even a little bit more. For him to sustain 16 games of play the way he did was pretty remarkable for a freshman. As you know, it’s clear to see he is a generational talent, a special player, and a great person.” During the College Football Playoff, Smith’s dominance was even more apparent, as he consistently stood out as one of the best players on the field despite being just 18 years old in his first college season.
However, Coach Day believes there’s room for improvement. “He needs some rest; that body needs some rest,” Day said. “He needs to get away from football for a while because he really grinded throughout the season. I’m really proud of what he accomplished. There are still parts of his game that he can improve, and he’ll tell you that. We’ll devise a plan together in the offseason and work through those aspects.” Given his remarkable performance this year, it’s almost hard to fathom how he could improve further, but fans will be eager to see how he performs next season, especially amidst such high expectations.
