Julian Sayin: Jeremiah Smith has gotten bigger and stronger after dominant 2024 season

Coming off a national championship season, the Ohio State Buckeyes are in the midst of a quarterback battle between Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz. Regardless of who wins that battle, they’ll get to throw to one of the best receivers in the country with Jeremiah Smith returning for his sophomore season.

Jeremiah Smith would break out with a fantastic freshman season in 2024. Now, he arguably looks better for an even bigger season. Certainly, as Julian Sayin shared on Off Script with Zak Herbstreit, he’s bigger and stronger than he was last season.

“He’s had a really good offseason,” Julian Sayin said. “You know, he’s gotten bigger and stronger. He’s stepped into that leadership role, I think, in a big way. We have a good relationship. He’s a really hard worker. Obviously, it shows on the field. He’s a great receiver and a great target to throw to.”

As a freshman last season, Jeremiah Smith caught 76 passes for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns. That was on 17.3 yards per reception. It was also a receiving touchdown record for an Ohio State freshman.

It’s never easy to build on that kind of performance. Even repeating that type of season would make him a quarterback’s best friend, though. Luckily for Sayin and the Ohio State quarterbacks, Smith and the rest of the Buckeyes wide receivers seem ready to put together a massive season.

“All of our receivers create great separation,” Sayin said. “Coach [Brian Hartline] does a great job with them and all their technique. They create great separation, and it’s just the quarterback’s job to distribute the ball to them. Once they get the ball in their hands, they’re dangerous.

Ryan Day raves about how Jeremiah Smith impacts Ohio State program

Jeremiah Smith has become someone who leads by example for Ohio State. That’s an impact that head coach Ryan Day has noticed is felt by the entire team.

“If you look at him. You’ve seen where he’s gotten bigger and stronger and faster than he was last year. He was at workouts the other day, and Mick [Mickey Marotti] constantly says during our warmups, he’s the first guy every time we run through. The first guy. Every single time. He just sets such a standard,” Day said.

“You don’t need to motivate Jeremiah. What he did as a freshman speaks for itself. Like you said, he may not be an older guy. He may not be really vocal in terms of his leadership. But what he does on the field speaks for itself. The work ethic he’s brought into this year has been exceptional, and I think that deserves an opportunity to be here today.”

Ohio State is going to need to be ready right out of the gate in 2025. The Texas Longhorns are making the trip to Columbus to open the season against the Buckeyes in a College Football Playoff semifinal rematch.