Jeremiah Smith named No. 1 freak in college football by The Athletic, another Buckeyes star in top 10

COLUMBUS — For the third straight season, an Ohio State wide receiver has been near the top of The Athletic‘s annual Freaks List, which is compiled by Bruce Feldman.

Only this time, Jeremiah Smith stands alone at the top. Yes, Smith is Feldman’s No. 1 Freak in all of college football heading into this season after showing up at No. 7 last year, before he ever played a college football game. Marvin Harrison Jr. was previously listed at No. 2 for the 2023 season.

Smith topped Alabama left tackle Kadyn Proctor for the top overall spot.

Smith is the best player in the sport, and he’s the top freak in the sport — and deservedly so after his insane freshman season and the numbers he currently posts in the weight room during the offseason.

Here’s why Feldman has Smith at the top of the rankings:

Asked which of his Freakish feats this summer he’s most proud of, Smith said it’s his 225 pounds on the bench for 20 reps. “I’m very proud of that,” he said. “I could probably only hit like five before I got to Ohio State. I came in weak.”

Smith’s 11-foot broad jump, 38-inch vertical jump and 23.5 mph on the GPS are jaw-dropping for a receiver his size. Could he get up to 24 mph?

– Bruce Feldman, The Athletic

Ohio State has two players in the top 10 of the Freaks List, one on offense and one on defense. Of course, Smith is the headliner at the top. But senior linebacker Sonny Styles checked in at No. 10 after being listed at No. 19 last August and No. 20 ahead of the 2023 season, when he was playing safety for the Buckeyes.

Now after a year in the secondary and a year at linebacker, Styles is finally in the top 10 thanks to his athleticism, offseason numbers and production on the field.

Here’s a part of what Feldman said about Styles:

At 6-4 1/2, 243 pounds, he broad jumped 11-0, vertical jumped 40 inches and squatted 675 pounds. His body fat is 10 percent. If not for Jeremiah Smith, Styles would be the Buckeyes’ biggest Freak. (The truth is, it’s close between them.)

– Bruce Feldman, The Athletic

Ohio State is tied with Michigan and Oregon, which each also have two freaks on the list. Penn State leads all teams nationally with five freaks in the top 101.