Jeremiah Smith: ‘I don’t really feel pressure’
Jeremiah Smith introduced himself to the college football world Saturday. Ohio State opened the season against Akron and the true freshman wide receiver had himself quite the day. Smith finished with six receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns.
Not too many freshmen out there are as composed as Smith out there. His first target did result in a drop but from there, everything went smoothly. So when Smith says he did not feel any pressure going out there for the first time in a Buckeyes uniform, his actions back up his word.
“Pressure? Nah, I don’t really feel pressure,” Smith said during his postgame press conference. “I just want to go out there, play football, and win games. I know all the hype around me was crazy coming in. I just wanted to come in and just work, not be about all hype. Impress my coaches, impress my peers, and impress my teammates.”
Smith played high school football at Hollywood (FL) Chaminade-Madonna Prep, where he was a Five-Star Plus+ prospect. He was the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
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No. 1 overall prospects being hyped up is nothing new in the sport. But Smith just felt different, being able to turn eyes in the Ohio State wide receiver room right away, maybe the best-recruited group in the entire country because of Brian Hartline.
The signs have been there with Smith for a while. Head coach Ryan Day joked around during his National Signing Day press conference when Smith’s Letter of Intent got in. Day was maybe the most relieved college coach in America as Miami was attempting to flip him from the Buckeyes. Not too often do you see coaches react to that over one player.
Saturday was just the beginning, though. Smith has three full years ahead of him before he’s presumably one of the top picks in the 2027 NFL Draft. There are going to be plenty of high-leverage moments he plays in throughout his time in college. To him, the pressure will not be there — it’s just about playing football.