The Ohio State Buckeyes are gearing up for another college football season, and all eyes are on wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. He’s heading into his junior year with plenty of buzz.
Smith has already carved out a spot in the Ohio State record books. With new wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton in the mix, there’s a lot of talk about what Smith might pull off this year.
This article takes a look at Smith’s journey so far and the road ahead for this phenomenal athlete.
Jeremiah Smith: A Generational Talent
Jeremiah Smith came to Ohio State with sky-high expectations as the nation’s top-ranked prospect in the 2024 class. His high school days at Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna in Florida were, frankly, wild—he led his team to a perfect 14-0 season and snagged the MaxPreps national player of the year for 2023.
Smith’s move to college football? Pretty much seamless. He became a key piece of the Buckeyes’ offense almost overnight.
Freshman Year Highlights
As a freshman in 2024, Smith put together one of the best seasons ever for an Ohio State receiver. He started 15 out of 16 games and racked up 76 catches, 1,315 yards, and 15 touchdowns.
His best game might’ve been the Rose Bowl CFB Playoff win against No. 1 Oregon—seven catches, 187 yards, two touchdowns. That game helped push the Buckeyes to the national championship, where they beat Notre Dame.
Sophomore Year Achievements
Smith’s sophomore season was another big one, even with defenses keying in on him more. The Buckeyes finished 12-2, falling to Indiana in the Big Ten championship and to Miami (Fla.) in the CFB Playoff quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl.
Smith missed two games late in the season with an injury but still started 13 games. He finished with 87 catches, 1,243 yards, and 12 touchdowns.
He was a unanimous first-team All-American and just missed out on the Fred Biletnikoff Award, which ended up going to USC’s Makai Lemon.
Preparing for the Junior Year
Now, Smith’s looking ahead to his junior year and wants to level up, especially in yards after the catch. “I think we were like the worst team in yards after catch last year. We really had no guys that had juice when they had the ball in their hands,” he admitted.
With Coach Hankton on board, Smith’s grinding to fix that.
Leadership and Mentorship
Smith’s become one of the oldest guys in the receiver room. “I remember I was just a little freshman out here running around making plays. But now I’m the oldest guy in the room,” he said, sounding a bit surprised himself.
He’s taken on more of a leadership role and is keen on helping younger players like Chris Henry Jr., who Smith calls “the next one up.”
Chasing Records
Smith knows he’s closing in on some big records. Emeka Egbuka holds the receptions and yards marks, while Chris Olave owns the touchdown record.
“Coming here, you don’t really think about breaking records and stuff like that,” Smith said. Still, he’s grateful for the chance to leave his mark at Ohio State.
Impact of Transfers and New Additions
Ohio State brought in 17 transfers this offseason, more than ever before. Two names stand out: safety Earl Little Jr. and wide receiver Kyle Parker.
Both just had their black stripes removed—a team tradition that says, hey, you’re officially in. Little came from Florida State and Parker from LSU, and both are expected to make some noise right away.
Earl Little Jr.: A Defensive Asset
Little showed out at Florida State, leading the team in tackles and grabbing four picks. Now he’s with the Buckeyes, and folks are already noticing.
“This man’s on demon time when he’s on the field. He’s a problem for any offense,” said C.J. Barnett, Ohio State’s director of player development. That’s high praise.
Kyle Parker: Offensive Reinforcement
Parker had a rough go with injuries at LSU, but finished strong last season—31 receptions, 330 yards, four touchdowns. He brings some extra depth and experience to the receiver group.
Parker’s grateful to be in Columbus, saying, “I want to thank y’all for that. Go Bucks!”
Looking Ahead
The 2026 college football season feels far off, but Ohio State isn’t waiting around. Spring practice has kicked off, and there’s a big emphasis on building chemistry.
The team’s working on key areas that need a boost. Smith and the other leaders—plus a handful of new faces—are all in, trying to push the squad to another level.
Smith’s time at Ohio State? Pretty wild so far. Heading into his junior year, it honestly looks like he’s ready for another big chapter.
He’s known for grinding it out and always trying to get better. If you ask around, folks expect Smith to help lead the Buckeyes to another strong season.
For more in-depth coverage and updates on Jeremiah Smith and the Ohio State Buckeyes, visit 247Sports.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
