Ohio State freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith was everything people expected he’d be and more for the Buckeyes in 2024.
Smith, the No. 1 wide receiver recruit in the country, caught 76 passes for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns as a freshman, including 19 receptions, 381 yards and five touchdowns in the College Football Playoff alone. The Miami Gardens, Florida native has the talent to contribute in the NFL next season, but will be forced by rules to stay in college for two more years, which is good news for the Buckeyes.
After the season ended, Smith immediately became the subject of rumors that he would leave OSU for another program on a massive NIL deal. Smith has denied these whispers, and tried once again to put an end to them on Instagram recently.
Commenting on a post suggesting he’d be transferring to Miami for $5 million, Smith shut down the idea.
“I’m good I promise you,” Smith responded.
We’re guessing Ohio State has plenty of money to give Smith as well, and he clearly had success from day one in Columbus.
Smith will have a new quarterback and offensive coordinator in 2025 with Will Howard and Chip Kelly off to the NFL, but his talent level should exceed any concerns about personnel changes.
“Feeling good, feeling good,” Smith said after beating Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff National Championship. “Got that first one. Time to get three more… two more.”
Ohio State will once again be among the elite teams in college football in 2025, with ESPN currently slotting them as the No. 1 team in its way-too-early top 25 rankings.
After winning the program’s third national championship since 2002, the Buckeyes are going to undergo a bit of a makeover — but so are most of the other Big Ten contenders. The core group of seniors who came back in 2024 — led by Sawyer, Henderson, Egbuka and others — will be missed.
Julian Sayin, a five-star prospect who transferred from Alabama, will probably be QB1 after Devin Brown and Air Noland entered the transfer portal. Sayin will have the luxury of throwing to Smith, the best receiver in the FBS, and the Buckeyes picked up tailback CJ Donaldson (West Virginia) and tight end Max Klare (Purdue) from the portal. Ohio State’s offense will be even better if RB Quinshon Judkins decides to come back. Some younger players will have to step up on the defensive line and in the secondary, but at least Downs is coming back.
Ohio State will open the 2025 season against Texas on Aug. 30.
Related: Jeremiah Smith Has 1-Word Reaction To Chip Kelly Leaving Ohio State