Scarlet Sunrise: Jeremiah Smith expected to play 'immediately' this weekend for Buckeyes

COLUMBUS — Ohio State freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is one of the most talented receiver prospects ever.

He’s going to be on the field immediately for the Buckeyes this season. Literally.

On Tuesday ahead of the Buckeyes’ season opener against Akron, Ohio State coach Ryan Day was asked about Smith and whether he’ll be out on the field for the offense ‘immediately.’ Day had a quick and concise answer: “Yes.”

Day and the Buckeyes have been raving about Smith since he arrived on campus in January; he was the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2024 recruiting class according to the On3 Industry Ranking, after all. But even the Buckeyes have been wowed by Smith — and that’s on a roster that includes incredible talents across the wide receiver room.

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“When he gets out there, very, very few MAs (missed assignments) for a young player,” Day said a couple of weeks ago. “He takes his game very, very seriously. He puts the work in off the field, and if he doesn’t make the play, he’s hard on himself. Rare do you find somebody who’s as talented as is he is but has really good discipline and skill at that age.

“We haven’t played a game yet, but he’s building a lot of respect amongst his teammates, for sure.”

Watch out for Saturday at 3:30 p.m. when Ohio State faces Akron. Smith is going to be on the field early and often. He could even be an immediate superstar.

Tegra Tshabola named starting right guard for Buckeyes opener

Ohio State has finally settled its last standing position battle on the offensive side of the ball: Tegra Tshabola will start at right guard when the Buckeyes open the season this weekend against Akron.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day made that official on Tuesday, just a few days ahead of the opener.

Tshabola, a third-year lineman from Lakota West (West Chester, Ohio), will make his first career start against Akron. He was a four-star recruit in the 2022 recruiting rankings, checking in at No. 99 nationally. He was the No. 9 interior lineman and No. 5 player in Ohio for his class.

Now he’s a starting offensive lineman at Ohio State, beating out second-year lineman Luke Montgomery and third-year lineman Carson Hinzman for the job — to open the season, at least. Hinzman was among the favorites for that spot because he started at center last year, but Tshabola did enough this offseason to overcome the lack of experience and earn a start.

READ MORE: Tegra Tshabola earns first start at right guard: What it means for rest of OL

Sonny Styles named starting WILL linebacker

Sonny Styles switched positions this offseason, but, for the second year in a row, he’ll be a Week 1 starter. Ohio State head coach Ryan Day announced Tuesday that Styles will take the first WILL linebacker snaps Saturday afternoon against Akron.

Styles has been competing with C.J. Hicks, another On3 Industry Ranking top-15 overall prospect from the state of Ohio in the 2022 class, in spring ball and training camp. Both will play Saturday, but Styles will be the first one out there on the field next to starting MIKE linebacker Cody Simon.

“We’re going to play multiple guys at linebacker, but Sonny has separated himself for sure and will start at WILL linebacker for us,” Day said. “He has done a nice job in this transition from safety. And when you move up, the game moves faster. It’s just quicker.

“[Sonny’s] changed his body, and the reps that he got in the spring really helped. I think he’s done a good job of communicating. He and Cody work well together, but you’re also going to see Arvell [Reese] in there, you’re going to see C.J. in there [as well as] Gabe [Powers]. These guys are going to get reps, and we’ll try to play as many guys as we can in this game.”

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Akron: 3 days
Ohio State at Oregon: 45 days
Ohio State at Penn State: 66 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 94 days

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