'Mature beyond his years,' Jeremiah Smith poised for immediate impact

Three days away from Ohio State’s season opener against Akron, head coach Ryan Day was asked one final question about the true freshman phenom wide receiver who has been the talk of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center all offseason: Jeremiah Smith.

Day started by saying “Oh geez” before launching into why Smith’s earned the opportunity to play significant snaps from the jump.

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“He’s been consistent,” Day continued Wednesday. “He’s been very workmanlike since he’s been here. He’s played strong and physical in the run game. He’s shown to be a deep threat down the field.

“Mature beyond his years. He’s embraced special teams when asked there. So, excited to see how he looks on Saturday and [for him to] start his career.”

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Smith was named to the On3 Preseason Freshman All-American team earlier this summer. Before that, he was a unanimous five-star prospect at Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory in Hollywood, Florida. And he was the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2024 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

Day was asked Tuesday point-blank, “Do you think Jeremiah will be out there in the beginning?” meaning will Smith play right away in Saturday’s opener against Akron?

Day answered with one word: “Yes.”

It didn’t take Smith long to break the internet at Ohio State. He “Mossed” sophomore cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. and beat senior corner Denzel Burke downfield in single coverage during Ohio State’s Student Appreciation Day back in late March.

Then, a week later in another spring practice, he hauled in an eyebrow-raising, one-handed and toe-tapping touchdown catch. Smith became the first Ohio State true freshman to ever shed his black stripe in only four practices.

This summer, he’s notably gone back-and-forth with another top Buckeyes cornerback, Davison Igbinosun, even making an over-the-shoulder catch down the sideline with Igbinosun in coverage the second week of training camp.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Smith has earned respect from his teammates for more than just his tantalizing talent, though.

He’s the first true freshman in program history to earn the rank of “Iron Buckeye,” according to Buckeyes players and coaches who have spoken with the media this summer. To Ohio State, an “Iron Buckeye” is someone who showcases “unquestionable training, dedication, determination, discipline, toughness and leadership” during winter and summer workouts. Strength and conditioning coach Mickey Marotti picked 10 of them this year, including Smith.

“He embodied everything that is a part of that conversation,” co-offensive coordinator and receivers coach Brian Hartline said earlier this month. “It’s not just lifting numbers, speed numbers. It is the way you carry yourself, the way you train, the edge to you. It’s all that.”

Most Ohio State receivers have to wait a minute for collegiate stardom because of how talented the wideout room is in Columbus. Smith is a big exception to the rule.

He’s going to play meaningful snaps immediately, and perhaps fittingly so, because, as Day said, Smith is “mature beyond his years.”