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LGHL Burning Questions: How far can Jeremiah Smith really go?
- News
- 0 Replies
Burning Questions: How far can Jeremiah Smith really go?
Jami Jurich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
The question is no longer whether the receiver will live up to the hype. It’s whether the hype will live up to him.
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about the most important questions yet unanswered for the season. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content and our ”Burning Questions” articles here.
At this time last year, one unanswered question seemed to be on the lips of every Ohio State fan: “Will Jeremiah Smith live up to the hype?”
In what turned out to be a record-breaking season, Smith not only lived up to the hype. He far exceeded it, breaking the Buckeyes’ freshman records for the most receptions, touchdowns, and yards, tallying 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns on 76 receptions for an average of 82.2 receiving yards per game en route to winning a national title.
Now, there’s a new unanswered question: “How far can he go?”
Smith’s freshman numbers will be tough to top for a variety of factors. The “sophomore slump” is common, and in Smith’s case, not only did he set an outrageous bar for himself to clear, but he will have to clear it with a new starting quarterback.
Though Will Howard was also in his first year with the Buckeyes last season, both Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz (who are in what appears to be a two-man battle for the starting job) will step into the position with less starting experience than Howard. This could lead to an adjustment period for Smith and the rest of the receiving corps and could potentially lead to a more conservative offensive strategy in general as the new quarterback finds their sea legs.
Additionally, because of Smith’s prolific freshman season and the high profile he’s bringing with him into his sophomore year, he has a different kind of target on his back now than he did a year ago. It’s not that opposing defenses ignored him last season; it’s just that everyone was still figuring out what the hype was about.
The Buckeyes also remain absolutely loaded with offensive weapons, boasting a receiver room that includes Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss in addition to Smith, as well as new tight end Max Klare and a whole lot of strong running backs. Because of the additional attention he’ll be getting from opposing defenses, it could ultimately mean he doesn’t get as many touches (though if anyone can blow past that kind of coverage, it’s Smith).
BUT…
This is also Jeremiah Smith we’re talking about.
Smith seemed to live up to the whole “once-in-a-generation talent” thing last season, so don’t be surprised if he takes last year’s records and smashes them to bits.
The beauty of Smith’s athleticism is that he makes completely freakish things look easy. He’s been praised for his dedication and work ethic, but he manages to give the impression that it’s something he could do while sleeping and with one hand tied behind his back.
In 2024—while sharing touches with Emeka Egbuka—Smith boasted the fourth-highest receiving yards in the FBS, with 1,315. Egbuka, for comparison, clocked in at No. 28 on that list despite his own exceptional talent and five additional receptions.
Whether his numbers drop slightly or whether he sets new records altogether, I don’t think we’ve even begun to get close to the ceiling of what Smith is capable of.
Continue reading...
Jami Jurich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
The question is no longer whether the receiver will live up to the hype. It’s whether the hype will live up to him.
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about the most important questions yet unanswered for the season. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content and our ”Burning Questions” articles here.
At this time last year, one unanswered question seemed to be on the lips of every Ohio State fan: “Will Jeremiah Smith live up to the hype?”
In what turned out to be a record-breaking season, Smith not only lived up to the hype. He far exceeded it, breaking the Buckeyes’ freshman records for the most receptions, touchdowns, and yards, tallying 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns on 76 receptions for an average of 82.2 receiving yards per game en route to winning a national title.
Now, there’s a new unanswered question: “How far can he go?”
Smith’s freshman numbers will be tough to top for a variety of factors. The “sophomore slump” is common, and in Smith’s case, not only did he set an outrageous bar for himself to clear, but he will have to clear it with a new starting quarterback.
Though Will Howard was also in his first year with the Buckeyes last season, both Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz (who are in what appears to be a two-man battle for the starting job) will step into the position with less starting experience than Howard. This could lead to an adjustment period for Smith and the rest of the receiving corps and could potentially lead to a more conservative offensive strategy in general as the new quarterback finds their sea legs.
Additionally, because of Smith’s prolific freshman season and the high profile he’s bringing with him into his sophomore year, he has a different kind of target on his back now than he did a year ago. It’s not that opposing defenses ignored him last season; it’s just that everyone was still figuring out what the hype was about.
The Buckeyes also remain absolutely loaded with offensive weapons, boasting a receiver room that includes Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss in addition to Smith, as well as new tight end Max Klare and a whole lot of strong running backs. Because of the additional attention he’ll be getting from opposing defenses, it could ultimately mean he doesn’t get as many touches (though if anyone can blow past that kind of coverage, it’s Smith).
BUT…
This is also Jeremiah Smith we’re talking about.
Smith seemed to live up to the whole “once-in-a-generation talent” thing last season, so don’t be surprised if he takes last year’s records and smashes them to bits.
The beauty of Smith’s athleticism is that he makes completely freakish things look easy. He’s been praised for his dedication and work ethic, but he manages to give the impression that it’s something he could do while sleeping and with one hand tied behind his back.
In 2024—while sharing touches with Emeka Egbuka—Smith boasted the fourth-highest receiving yards in the FBS, with 1,315. Egbuka, for comparison, clocked in at No. 28 on that list despite his own exceptional talent and five additional receptions.
Whether his numbers drop slightly or whether he sets new records altogether, I don’t think we’ve even begun to get close to the ceiling of what Smith is capable of.
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State to send three of the best in college football to Big Ten Media Days
- News
- 0 Replies
Ohio State to send three of the best in college football to Big Ten Media Days
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.
Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.
Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.
You’re welcome!
Subscribe to the Land-Grant Podcast Network for all of your Ohio State needs
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio
Day, Downs, Styles & Smith to Represent Ohio State at Big Ten Media Days
Ohio State Athletics
Breaking down Ohio State’s current 2026 class
Gene Ross, Land-Grant Holy Land
Burning Questions: Can Ohio State’s new defensive line measure up?
Michael Citro, Land-Grant Holy Land
Three big questions for Buckeyes reloaded linebacker room
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
Ohio State Tight End Bennett Christian Using Time at the “Very Bottom” to Inspire Others
Andy Anders, Eleven Warriors
Two Buckeyes made CBS Sports’ top 25 true freshmen of the century list
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
Ohio State’s National Championship Run Inspired New Buckeyes, Made Them Hungrier to Win A Title Themselves
Dan Hope, Eleven Warrior
Ohio State and Virginia Working On Non-Conference Game for Valentine’s Day
Andy Anders, Eleven Warriors
Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton outduels Devin Royal in Kingdom Summer League
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Memo: EA Sports looks to bring back College Basketball video games, starting in 2028-2029
Matt Brown, Extra Points
Women’s Golf: Four Buckeyes Earn WGCA All-American Scholar Honors
Ohio State Athletics
Men’s Gymnastics: Six Buckeyes Qualify for USA Championships
Ohio State Athletics
This looks cool:
Continue reading...
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.
Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.
Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.
You’re welcome!
For your Earholes...
Subscribe to the Land-Grant Podcast Network for all of your Ohio State needs
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio
On the Gridiron
Day, Downs, Styles & Smith to Represent Ohio State at Big Ten Media Days
Ohio State Athletics
Breaking down Ohio State’s current 2026 class
Gene Ross, Land-Grant Holy Land
Burning Questions: Can Ohio State’s new defensive line measure up?
Michael Citro, Land-Grant Holy Land
Three big questions for Buckeyes reloaded linebacker room
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
Ohio State Tight End Bennett Christian Using Time at the “Very Bottom” to Inspire Others
Andy Anders, Eleven Warriors
Two Buckeyes made CBS Sports’ top 25 true freshmen of the century list
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
Ohio State’s National Championship Run Inspired New Buckeyes, Made Them Hungrier to Win A Title Themselves
Dan Hope, Eleven Warrior
On the Hardwood
Ohio State and Virginia Working On Non-Conference Game for Valentine’s Day
Andy Anders, Eleven Warriors
Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton outduels Devin Royal in Kingdom Summer League
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Outside the Shoe and Schott
Memo: EA Sports looks to bring back College Basketball video games, starting in 2028-2029
Matt Brown, Extra Points
Women’s Golf: Four Buckeyes Earn WGCA All-American Scholar Honors
Ohio State Athletics
Men’s Gymnastics: Six Buckeyes Qualify for USA Championships
Ohio State Athletics
And now for something completely different...
This looks cool:
Continue reading...