Jeremiah Smith named to On3 Preseason Freshman All-American team
COLUMBUS — Ohio State doesn’t often need freshmen to contribute right away when they arrive on campus. But Jeremiah Smith is no ordinary freshman at all.
No, Smith is different. That’s why the former Five-star + and No. 1 overall prospect in the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking is now in line for a major role in Year One at Ohio State.
And it’s certainly why the folks at On3 have named him to the Preseason True Freshman All-American team on Monday afternoon.
Smith is well-aware of the sky-high expectations he has in his debut campaign with the Buckeyes. But he’s not letting all of the noise surrounding his freshman season cloud his work ethic or personality. He’s choosing to keep it out of his view — and keep working toward being great.
“It’s a blessing, but, I mean, you don’t want that hype to affect you and all this other stuff that’s around me,” Smith said earlier this month. “I just keep my head down and just find ways to get better each and every day.”
Ohio State has seen that from its superstar freshman ahead of his first collegiate game action in less than two weeks; the Buckeyes open with Akron on Aug. 31 (3:30 p.m., CBS).
Buckeyes coach Ryan Day is impressed with how Smith has carried himself early in his career.
“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.”
Ohio State has a loaded wide receiver room this season. It’s led by senior captain and potential first-round pick next year Emeka Egbuka. It also features second-year standouts Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss, who both could become superstars in their own right this year.
But Smith has made it clear through his performance in practice since he arrived at Ohio State that he’s going to be a major factor in the wide receiver room.
That’s why On3 is naming Smith a preseason True Freshman All-American.
