Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith Dominates Before Key Showdown with Penn State

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Jeremiah Smith, a 19-year-old wide receiver for Ohio State, has been on fire to start the 2025 college football season. He leads the Buckeyes with 49 receptions for 602 yards and seven touchdowns, showcasing his potential as a future NFL star.

Smith’s performance highlights Ohio State’s strong tradition of developing elite pass catchers. The program, known as “Wide Receiver University,” has produced five first-round wide receivers in recent NFL drafts under offensive coordinator Brian Hartline. This includes names like Garrett Wilson (New York Jets), Chris Olave (New Orleans Saints), and Marvin Harrison Jr. (Arizona Cardinals).

Despite the praise for LSU‘s receiver pipeline, Smith believes Ohio State is closing the gap. “I’m gonna have to say LSU right now,” he said, acknowledging their top talents like Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. “But give us a couple of years and we’ll be at the top for sure.”

The Buckeyes, currently sitting at 7-0, are focused on maintaining their momentum as they prepare to host the Penn State Nittany Lions. Kickoff is set for Saturday at 12:00 p.m. ET. Coach Ryan Day emphasized that Penn State, despite struggling with four straight losses, remains a talented opponent. “They still have really good players,” Day said. “This game could be a matchup of two top teams.”

Smith has not only contributed to the team’s success but has also been influenced by his fellow receivers. He praised teammates such as Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate for their guidance in his development as a player. “Carnell has meant a lot to me,” Smith said, highlighting the supportive culture within the team.

As Smith aims for his second consecutive national championship with the Buckeyes, his focus remains on the team. “I’m worried about the team right now,” he said. “Going back-to-back, that’s something that’s never been done in Ohio State history.”

With Smith leading the charge, the Buckeyes look to continue their undefeated season against Penn State this weekend.