Joel Klatt praises Rose Bowl performance of Jeremiah Smith

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith left FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt in awe after the Buckeyes’ 41-21 win over Oregon in the Rose Bowl. On Thursday, Klatt raved about the freshman standout’s stunning performance.

“Jeremiah Smith and his performance in the Rose Bowl was outstanding,” Klatt said. “He showed it through the course of the season. But really, that was a coming-out party. When you do that in the Rose Bowl — seven catches. What was it? 180 plus? Couple of [TDs]. Like, this guy was sensational.

“… Didn’t matter what was going on in terms of Oregon’s plan, Jeremiah Smith was getting loose.”

To be specific, Smith reeled in seven catches for a career-high 187 yards and two touchdowns. His 187 receiving yards were the most by a freshman in a single game in program history, shattering Cris Carter’s previous record of 172 yards.

While the performance was Smith’s most impressive yet, it was far from his first standout showing. Smith boasts 70 catches for 1,224 yards and 14 touchdowns this season, leading the Buckeyes in all three categories.

Since Smith is only a freshman, he’s obligated to play spend another two seasons at the collegiate level before attempting to go pro. Alas, Klatt couldn’t help but reflect on his run-in with an NFL legend after watching Smith against Oregon.

“I played college football, and there was a moment when I was, I believe I was a junior in 2004,
and we were playing Oklahoma in 2004 and Adrian Peterson was a true freshman, and I walked out of the field that night and I saw him warming up on the other side of the field, and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s the best football player on the field, and he’s a true freshman,'” Klatt said.

“I have that same reaction when I see Jeremiah Smith now. They’re the only 18-year-olds, true freshmen, that I’ve ever seen come in and just immediately I think to myself, they’re the most dominant individual. on the football field. That’s as high praise as I can possibly give him. He’s that good. He is absolutely tremendous. When they lean into him and allow him to be great — boy, they reach their full potential.”

Jeremiah Smith will look to deliver again for Ohio State on Friday as the Buckeyes square off against Texas at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will air live on ESPN.