Why Jeremiah Smith 'might be the best' among Ohio State's pantheon of elite WRs

Jeremiah Smith is a special talent. So much so that On3’s Andy Staples selected him early in his “Ultimate College Football Draft.”

That’s right, Staples picked the Ohio State freshman who hasn’t even seen a college football game field yet. Smith is simply special and already had his black stripe removed from his helmet within the first week of practice.

Drafting against On3’s Cody Bellaire, Staples explained why Smith could go down in history.

“There will be people who say this is a reach because I’m taking a guy who actually has not played a snap of a football game,” Staples said on his show. “I gotta have him … Jeremiah Smith, wide receiver from Ohio State. He has yet to play a snap in college football. But if you talk to anybody who has seen an Ohio State practice in the spring, who has seen this man play, he’s going to be spectacular. He might be the best of this bunch of receivers that Ohio State has had over the last few years.” 

Smith being the best over the last few classes at Ohio State would certainly be something. Especially considering the three players Staples listed.

“And you know, like, we’re talking about Marvin Harrison Jr., Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave,” Staples said. “Like all of these guys, he might wind up being the best one of this whole bunch, because he has the size, he has the speed, he has the agility, the body control. 

“Like he came in and they will tell you, he came in more ready to go then Marvin Harrison Jr. did and that is high, high praise. So yes, Jeremiah Smith, my wide receiver one.”

Smith lost his black stripe, which deems him game ready, the fastest in program history, as Bellaire alluded to.

As a member of the Class of 2024, Smith was a five-star recruit out of Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna Prep, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 1 overall prospect in the state, the No. 1 wide receiver in the class and the No. 1 overall prospect in the class.

The comparisons didn’t stop there. Speaking with FOX’s Joel Klatt, head coach Ryan Day explained why he believes Smith has a chance to be a special player.

“He’s got a chance to be special. He really does,” Day said. “He’s very mature for his age. You know, physically, the way he runs he runs routes. His approach, discipline. But he’s very, very talented. And I think, sometimes when you’re really talented, you know you don’t have all the discipline or skill because you can really go back in your talent. He’s talented, disciplined and skilled.

“… What we’ve seen this spring has been excellent, and you’ll get a chance to see. He’s not gonna play a ton today. We’re gonna be careful with him. But he’s got a chance to be special.”