Ryan Day provides bold words about Ohio State star freshman Jeremiah Smith following win over Akron
Ohio State returned a ton of experience from last year’s team but it was not the experience that was the star of the show on Saturday. Star freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith made an instant impact from the beginning in Week 1 for Ohio State. Once he got his feet underneath him, he was far […]
Ohio State returned a ton of experience from last year’s team but it was not the experience that was the star of the show on Saturday.
Star freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith made an instant impact from the beginning in Week 1 for Ohio State. Once he got his feet underneath him, he was far too much for the Akron Zips to handle in Ohio State’s 52-6 win to open the season.
Smith finished with 92 yards and a pair of touchdowns on six catches. Following the game, head coach Ryan Day didn’t hold back on Smith being different than your typical freshman.
“You can see the talent,” Day said following the opening win. “We're gonna play through just about all of (the mistakes). Sometimes you look at him, and you don't think he's quite human, but he is. He’s built different.”
Smith fought off an early drop and penalty and settled into his role. He was Ohio State’s leading receiver to open the season and he looked like the best player on the field against a much lesser Akron team.
Coming into the season, expectations were sky-high for Smith. You can say they are higher than any receiving threat to come through as a freshman in Columbus. Smith very well could break Cris Carter’s freshman receiving records and he likely will.
Day was careful with Smith in the seeing game and it was a sign of what was yet to come. As a freshman, Smith may end up being the No. 1 portion for the Buckeyes all year. Sure it was only Akron, but the way he played from the very start was promising. Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate both made impacts but Smith was clearly the go-to guy for quarterback Will Howard.
2025 NFL Draft prospects to watch in Akron vs. Ohio State include Jack Sawyer, TreVeyon Henderson, and Emeka Egbuka
Look, the Ohio State Buckeyes are favored by almost 50 points against Akron, so the 2025 NFL Draft prospects in this game on the home sideline don't have a ton to gain from this single matchup. However, every evaluator has to consider usage and role changes that we see in a new season. Here are […]
