Ryan Day details where Jeremiah Smith can improve after freshman season

Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith just had as phenomenal of a freshman season as one can have. Still, even with what he did after one year in college football, there’s still ways for him to develop.

Following the national championship last week, Ryan Day explained how that’d even be possible for Smith. That started by looking back at what he’d just done this fall for the Buckeyes.

“Yeah, he’s obviously a special talent and I think that, you know, we had a plan coming in. I think Brian Hartline has done an unbelievable job throughout the recruiting process, and his family, of putting that plan in action,” said Day. “I think, you know, what we envisioned this season, you know, came true but maybe even a little bit more. For him to be able to sustain, you know, 16 games of play the way he did was pretty remarkable for a freshman.”

“As you know, it’s clear to see,” Day said. “You know, like we said from the jump, he is a generational talent, he’s a special player but, you know, he’s a great person.”

Smith, the leading receiver for the Buckeyes, finished with 76 catches for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024. That averages out to 4.8 receptions for 82.2 yards and nearly a touchdown a game. 19 of those receptions for 381 yards and five scores also came during their four wins in the College Football Playoff.

That stat line was a record-breaking one in many ways for Smith both in Columbus and in the Big Ten. Now, going into his sophomore season, he’s seen as one of the best players in the entire sport, if not the best already, as well as the obvious pick at No. 1 come the 2027 NFL Draft with it still two years out.

So, what can Smith actually need to improve upon?

Well, firstly, Day said Smith needs to rest himself in the weeks to come. Then, upon his return to the field, they’ll have a plan ready to make one of the collegiate level’s best only that much better somehow.

“He need some rest. That body needs some rest,” said Day. “He needs to get away from football for a while because he really grinded throughout the season. I’m really proud of, you know, what he did.”

“There’s still parts of his game that he can improve and he’ll tell you that. We’ll put that plan together in the offseason and work through those things,” said Day. “We’ll put that plan together in the offseason and then put it back to work.”

Again, Smith was as special as a rookie can be with what he accomplished individually and as a leading contributor on a title-winning team. There’ll be more to come, though, with two seasons left for him to grow before going to the next level.

“What a season for such a young player who, you know, we all know is special,” said Day.