Matt Tamanini
Guest
Moment of the Game: The Jeremiah Smith Era
has begun
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
The freshman wide receiver is going to be reeeeeeeeeeally special.
Friends, we just witnessed the dawning of a new era in Ohio State football history. Yes, this team could go on to win a Big Ten or national title; this defense might reach historic heights; Chip Kelly might bring about a new level of offensive productivity. While any of those possibilities would be welcomed, what we know for sure is that The Jeremiah Smith Era has begun in Columbus.
After the No. 1 player in the 2024 recruiting class dropped his first collegiate target — an inside screen that very well might have gone for a touchdown — he rebounded and showed why so many people across college football are excited about his upside in the Buckeyes’ 52-6 win over Akron on Saturday night.
Smith finished the day with 92 yards and two touchdowns on six receptions, but it was the first touchdown of his career that showed how special the 6-foot-3, 215-pound receiver can be. A sloppy first quarter on both sides of the ball put the Buckeyes behind 3-0 in the final few minutes of the period.
But on 3rd and 6 from the Akron 16, Ohio State’s new starting quarterback Will Howard looked for the phenomenal freshman. Throughout the preseason, the Kansas State transfer has discussed the fact that anytime he sees one of his receivers in a one-on-one matchup, he knows that they are open. On this play, Smith took one jab step inside before cutting to the front corner of the end zone.
The Akron defender was never more than a foot away from Smith, but the receiver spotted the ball — which was a fade thrown slightly toward his back shoulder — and turned back toward the goal line to make the catch and haul in the first touchdown in scarlet and gray.
The catch might not be the most spectacular highlight reel material you’ve ever seen, but it was impressive nonetheless. Not only did Smith make the catch, but he kept his body between the defender and the ball and got both feet down.
Let’s be honest, the Ohio State offense was not especially impressive against Akron. The offensive line still looked ill-prepared and there was little to no dynamism in the play-calling. Admittedly, missing Donovan Jackson likely had some impact on the o-line performance, but the season-opening performance left a lot to be desired, especially in the first half.
Fortunately, the same cannot be said for Smith’s performance. in addition to his two touchdowns, the freshman also came down with a 45-yard catch while Zip defensive back Daymon David held onto his arm. There is no doubt that this kid is special.
I know that Smith’s performance was against Akron, a team that is expected to be one of the worst in the country, but the Zips did have the No. 22 pass defense in the country last season. Last year’s rankings aside, what Smith did was something to behold. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to come into college with all of the expectations that followed Smith from South Florida to Columbus. And yet, he seemed to not only be ready for the bright lights but also the step up (presumably) in competition.
While Kelly will likely make the running game more of the centerpiece of OSU’s game plan this season than we have seen in years past, it is looking increasingly likely that Smith will soon become the star at the center of Ohio State's offense for years to come; and friends, the future is incredibly bright.
Continue reading...
has begunMatt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
The freshman wide receiver is going to be reeeeeeeeeeally special.
Friends, we just witnessed the dawning of a new era in Ohio State football history. Yes, this team could go on to win a Big Ten or national title; this defense might reach historic heights; Chip Kelly might bring about a new level of offensive productivity. While any of those possibilities would be welcomed, what we know for sure is that The Jeremiah Smith Era
has begun in Columbus.After the No. 1 player in the 2024 recruiting class dropped his first collegiate target — an inside screen that very well might have gone for a touchdown — he rebounded and showed why so many people across college football are excited about his upside in the Buckeyes’ 52-6 win over Akron on Saturday night.
Smith finished the day with 92 yards and two touchdowns on six receptions, but it was the first touchdown of his career that showed how special the 6-foot-3, 215-pound receiver can be. A sloppy first quarter on both sides of the ball put the Buckeyes behind 3-0 in the final few minutes of the period.
But on 3rd and 6 from the Akron 16, Ohio State’s new starting quarterback Will Howard looked for the phenomenal freshman. Throughout the preseason, the Kansas State transfer has discussed the fact that anytime he sees one of his receivers in a one-on-one matchup, he knows that they are open. On this play, Smith took one jab step inside before cutting to the front corner of the end zone.
The Akron defender was never more than a foot away from Smith, but the receiver spotted the ball — which was a fade thrown slightly toward his back shoulder — and turned back toward the goal line to make the catch and haul in the first touchdown in scarlet and gray.
Will HowardJeremiah Smith@OhioStateFB scores its first TD of the season pic.twitter.com/50FjJX7nBZ
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 31, 2024
The catch might not be the most spectacular highlight reel material you’ve ever seen, but it was impressive nonetheless. Not only did Smith make the catch, but he kept his body between the defender and the ball and got both feet down.
Let’s be honest, the Ohio State offense was not especially impressive against Akron. The offensive line still looked ill-prepared and there was little to no dynamism in the play-calling. Admittedly, missing Donovan Jackson likely had some impact on the o-line performance, but the season-opening performance left a lot to be desired, especially in the first half.
Fortunately, the same cannot be said for Smith’s performance. in addition to his two touchdowns, the freshman also came down with a 45-yard catch while Zip defensive back Daymon David held onto his arm. There is no doubt that this kid is special.
I know that Smith’s performance was against Akron, a team that is expected to be one of the worst in the country, but the Zips did have the No. 22 pass defense in the country last season. Last year’s rankings aside, what Smith did was something to behold. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to come into college with all of the expectations that followed Smith from South Florida to Columbus. And yet, he seemed to not only be ready for the bright lights but also the step up (presumably) in competition.
While Kelly will likely make the running game more of the centerpiece of OSU’s game plan this season than we have seen in years past, it is looking increasingly likely that Smith will soon become the star at the center of Ohio State's offense for years to come; and friends, the future is incredibly bright.
Continue reading...