As the No. 1 overall player in the 2024 recruiting class, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is obviously talented. But even his Ohio State teammates were impressed by his abilities leading up to the Buckeyes’ first spring practice of the year.

Jeremiah Smith Making Good First Impression

On Monday, six OSU players met with reporters on the Woody Hayes Athletic Center’s indoor practice field, including QBs Will Howard, Devin Brown, and Lincoln Kienholz, as well as RB TreVeyon Henderson, G Donovan Jackson, and WR Emeka Egbuka.

Outside of firing back at his doubters, Brown raved about the freshman pass catcher, saying, “Every time I throw to him, it’s like, ‘Geez, this kid’s a stud.’ He’s gonna be a freak.”

Egbuka, who has played alongside the likes of future 2024 NFL Draft top-10 pick Marvin Harrison Jr. and former first-rounders Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Chris Olave, shared similar sentiments.

“Freak. Freak athlete. … He put his head down and worked,” Egbuka explained. “There’s nothing he really can’t do. He runs fast. He jumps high. He’s strong. He’s a natural pass catcher. I mean, yeah, he’s a freak. … I think he has a bright future here.”

Will Howard, Ryan Day Weigh In on Smith

Egbuka’s words hold more weight than most due to his proximity to greatness in the WR room — on top of his own prowess as a weapon for the Buckeyes. But the man likely throwing passes to Smith, Kansas State transfer Will Howard, and head coach Ryan Day also spoke glowingly of the fresh-blooded WR following OSU’s first spring practice.

“He’s a dude. Man, he’s a specimen,” Howard said, “I mean, that dude is a freak show when it comes to physical. I’m excited to see him out on the field in live action.”

While hype is fun and generates excitement, it’s important to set proper expectations. As a true freshman, Harrison caught just 11 catches for 139 yards and three touchdowns, with most of that production coming in the Rose Bowl vs. Utah (6-71-3). However, he was sitting behind JSN, Wilson, and Olave.

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Smith comes into a receiving corps with Egbuka and 2023 five-star Carnell Tate seemingly the only two “locks” atop the depth cart. Smith will battle Brandon Inness and Jayden Bullard for the third receiver spot, and while WR coach Brian Hartline tends to lean toward more experienced players, Smith is a special athlete.

To that point, Day said Smith has “jumped right in” and that the Buckeyes are “expecting big things” from him. Smith has all of the spring and summer to earn a heavy role in Ohio State’s rotation, but he’s already made quite the impression on his coaching staff and teammates.

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