Jeremiah Smith hasn’t yet played in a college football game, but the Ohio State receiver is already a viral sensation. The nation’s No. 1 recruit in 2024 set social media ablaze this spring with his quick cuts, precise route running and one-handed catches against Ohio State’s elite secondary.
“I’ve seen it from him since he was 9 and 10,” his father, Chris Smith, told 247Sports. “It’s still amazing to me, but it’s no surprise.”
Last week, the big freshman receiver had everyone at Ohio State gasping for air.
Jeremiah Smith, approaching the right corner of the end zone and battling tight coverage from the Buckeye’s best cornerback, Denzel Burke, turned his body upfield, stretched his hand over the out-of-bounds line, and made a one-handed catch over Burke.
Not only was the catch impressive physically — maintaining body control while falling backward and stepping in-bounds in the tight space — but it was also a challenge against Burke, who likely would have been flagged for pass interference in a real game.
The veteran cornerback was face to face with Smith, and Burke draped his right arm around Smith’s back with a fistful of jersey as he attempted to swat the ball with his left arm.
It was as improbable of a catch as they come, especially for a mid-term enrollee who should be picking out a tuxedo for his senior prom in April rather than picking on veteran all-conference players. (Don’t believe us? Just watch the video and reactions on the sideline.)
Later in that practice, he erased quarterback Will Howard‘s mistake on an under-thrown pass, course-correcting his route and contorting his big body to catch the ball for a touchdown in coverage.
Big-boy stuff for the new kid on the block.
Jeremiah Smith ? pic.twitter.com/8tG66Yltsn
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 6, 2024
Teammates have marveled at Smith’s abilities this spring, which is saying something, considering Ohio State has produced eight NFL receivers in recent years. Coach Ryan Day had to temper his lofty praise in March, prefacing a glowing summary after a standout practice.
“I’m gonna be careful what I say, but he’s been certainly a pleasure to watch,” Day said.
Now that spring practices have wrapped up at Ohio State, where more than 80,000 fans poured into The Horseshoe for the Scarlet and Gray game Saturday, there’s no hiding it now. Smith, the highest-rated receiver in the history of 247Sports’ recruiting rankings, is a budding superstar.
