Ohio State lands first visit from elite playmaker recruit as Buckeyes target credits Jeremiah Smith’s breakout for interest
Jeremiah Smith continues to be the gift that keeps on giving. The phenom freshman helped deliver a national championship to the Buckeyes last year, and the attention he’s received as an immediate superstar has transcended to EA Sports College Football 26 and the recruiting trail. Everyone wants to see what’s next for Smith, and some […]
Jeremiah Smith continues to be the gift that keeps on giving. The phenom freshman helped deliver a national championship to the Buckeyes last year, and the attention he’s received as an immediate superstar has transcended to EA Sports College Football 26 and the recruiting trail. Everyone wants to see what’s next for Smith, and some prospects, like 2027 No. 2 receiver Monshun Sales, want to succeed him.
While Alabama, LSU, Michigan, and Indiana chase Sales, the 6-foot-5, 201-pound four-star playmaker is coming to Columbus first this fall. He’ll be in town to see how the Buckeyes defend their title crown in Week 1 against Texas. Brian Hartline has set his sights on adding a uniquely built ball-dominant option that he’s been lacking for years.
For as great as Smith is, he’s not as tall as Sales, and plays a more finesse style as a great route-runner compared to someone who can just win jump balls when given the chance. Sales has been to Ohio State several times already, and the Buckeyes are alongside Alabama as “early front-runners to land Sales.”
“From the level of competition, program track record, to watching Jeremiah Smith play, Sales has highlighted a lot of things that stand out about the defending National Champs.
“My favorite thing was the level of competition and development with the receivers,” Sales has said in the past.”
Sales is also planning on seeing Notre Dame and Alabama, and could add LSU, Texas A&M, and Missouri to his flight log. That’d be a busy schedule, but with one year to go before he makes a final call, it’s only a matter of time before Sales gets all of his trips in. This does seem to have the early look of an elongated battle that could turn some teams off if Sales continues to court anyone with interest.
Hartline’s presence in this chase will be fascinating. He’s entering a pivotal year as the primary offensive coordinator after Chip Kelly departed the program. While Hartline is a legendary closer at his former position, there’s speculation that a mid-major Group of Five job could be waiting for him within the next two offseasons if he does well.
Already with 2027 top receiver Jamier Brown committed and five newcomers on the slate for 2026, the Buckeyes have no shortage of playmaking on its way. That’s a good thing for a program constantly losing talent to the NFL and higher spenders, but it’s not hard to see a path for Sales to be wooed elsewhere if Hartline bolts for Cincinnati, Wisconsin, another intriguing opening.
