Ohio State fans won’t wait much longer for Jeremiah Smith’s Buckeyes debut.
This year’s No. 1 recruit enters the 2024 season with immense hype. Smith will attempt to become the latest star wide receiver to grace Ryan Day’s offense.
Day isn’t worried about easing the true freshman into action. Via Dan Hope of Eleven Warriors, the head coach confirmed Tuesday that Smith will be on the field to start Saturday’s season opener against Akron.
Smith spurned interest from prominent programs such as Georgia to honor his December 2022 commitment to Ohio State. The high school track star scored 19 receiving touchdowns during his senior year at Chaminade-Madonna Prep.
Early expectations are immense for Smith, who joins Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate, and Brandon Inniss to fill the void left behind by former Buckeyes superstar Marvin Harrison Jr. Many observes believe the five-star prospect will join Harrison, Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba as a future first-round draft pick.
Earlier this month, Day lauded Smith’s rare blend of elite talent and discipline.
“He’s strong, he’s powerful, and he’s big. But it’s his work ethic, to me, that just jumps out,” Day said of Smith. “He’s physically tough. I mean, physically, he’ll get after you. But also, when he gets out there, very, very few [missed assignments] for a young player. He takes his game very, very seriously. He puts the work in off the field, and if he doesn’t make the play, he’s hard on himself.”
Smith is poised to make his college debut when Ohio State hosts Akron this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
Related: The Spun’s Most Annoying People In Football Media: Sweet 16