Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith Wows LeBron James, CFB Fans with Highlight Videos vs. MSU
September 29, 2024
Ohio State freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith impressed college football fans, including Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, with back-to-back one-handed catches on Saturday night's 38-7 win at Michigan State.
Smith made single-handed grabs, including one for a touchdown, on consecutive plays during a Buckeyes scoring drive late in the first half.
The highlight-reel score led to Smith's second score of the night, following the 27-yard run to the end zone that marked the first rushing touchdown of his college career.
Big Ten Network @BigTenNetworkThere's that Jeremiah Smith burst again 💥<br><br>The <a href="https://twitter.com/OhioStateFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OhioStateFB</a> freshman WR has a TD in every game this year.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/B1GFootball?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#B1GFootball</a> on Peacock 💻 <a href="https://t.co/gqcymjVPd6">pic.twitter.com/gqcymjVPd6</a>
Smith finished out Saturday's win with five catches for 83 yards and a touchdown, adding 19 yards and another touchdown on his one carry.
He has now recorded touchdowns in each of his first four games for Ohio State.
The 18-year-old wideout entered Saturday's game having recorded 14 catches for 281 yards and four touchdowns through three games.
Having now established himself as a top target for Buckeyes starting quarterback Will Howard, some fans argued Smith has also already proven himself to be one of the best players in college football.
Smith entered the game having already marked Ohio State record books as the program's first wideout to record 200 receiving yards through the first two games of his true freshman season.
Should Smith keep up his production, he will remain on pace to break the Buckeyes' true freshman records of 41 catches, 648 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns, all of which were set by Cris Carter in 1984.
Ari Wasserman @AriWassermanI don't care if I'm prisoner of the moment. I don't care if it's irrational. I don't care if it is too soon. <br><br>Jeremiah Smith is the best receiver in Ohio State history.<br><br>(Not the greatest. Still hasn't been playing long enough. But pure, natural skillset? Yes)
Ohio State fans now have another star wide receiver playing in Columbus after the team lost Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Arizona Cardinals as the No. 4 pick of the 2024 NFL draft.
NFL fans are now lamenting the three-year wait until they can see Smith follow in Harrison's footsteps and make his NFL debut. Smith will have to wait until 2027 before he is eligible for the draft.
Dan @ThiccStauskasJeremiah Smith should be the first player to challenge the 3 year rule. He should go pro tomorrow. It's ridiculous he's gotta play 3 years in college. He's starting in any team in the nfl and WR1 at half of them. I have never seen a player like this <a href="https://t.co/lwIvlTE3Wt">https://t.co/lwIvlTE3Wt</a>
Jake Trotter @Jake_TrotterWhat Seattle Seahawks/former Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba said about Jeremiah Smith this summer: "Jeremiah could play one year of college and be ready for the league. ... If you wanted to create a player, it would be him..." <a href="https://t.co/ZzNTqVH2c9">https://t.co/ZzNTqVH2c9</a> <a href="https://t.co/RK3WXZVK3M">pic.twitter.com/RK3WXZVK3M</a>
Smith's dominant first half helped No. 3 Ohio State pull out to a 24-3 lead over MSU by halftime and mark a strong start to Big Ten play.
