How Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith Singlehandedly Raised the Bar for All Future Buckeye Freshman Wide Receivers With His Incredible Debut Season

Ohio State has never lacked talent at wide receiver. From the electrifying days of David Boston to the modern marvels of Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Marvin Harrison Jr., the Buckeyes have long been a haven for elite pass catchers. But even by the lofty standards of this program, what Jeremiah Smith accomplished as a true freshman in the 2024 season was nothing short of extraordinary.

He didn’t just live up to the hype of being the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2024 class—he shattered expectations. Smith didn’t merely contribute; he transformed. He didn’t simply impress—he redefined what excellence looks like for a freshman wideout at Ohio State. His poise, precision, production, and presence altered the trajectory for what’s expected of young receivers in Columbus, and in many ways, college football at large.

From the moment he stepped onto campus, Smith operated at a different frequency. While most freshmen receivers need time to adjust to the speed of the college game, Smith made it look as though the game had to adjust to him. His blend of size, athleticism, elite route-running, and advanced football IQ placed him in rare company before he ever caught a pass in a Buckeye uniform. But it was what he did on the field that permanently changed the conversation.

By the end of the 2024 season, Smith had rewritten Ohio State’s record books for freshman receivers, surpassing the single-season yardage and receptions marks previously held by the likes of David Boston and Garrett Wilson. He wasn’t just the best freshman on the field—he was one of the best players, period. Smith led the team in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, a feat that not even Harrison or Wilson achieved in their freshman years.

What separated Smith was not only his numbers but the moments in which they came. In a primetime showdown at Penn State, Smith torched one of the Big Ten’s most respected secondaries for 142 yards and two touchdowns. Under the lights against Michigan, he was the lone bright spot in a tough loss, hauling in a back-shoulder touchdown while facing double coverage. And when Ohio State faced Georgia in the College Football Playoff semifinal, Smith looked like a seasoned pro against a future NFL secondary, finishing with 124 yards and a score.

His consistency was almost robotic. Game after game, Smith found ways to get open, break tackles, and extend drives. He played with the confidence of a senior and the hunger of someone trying to prove he belonged. His presence on the field changed how defenses schemed against the Buckeyes. Opponents bracketed him, jammed him, and doubled him—none of it worked for long. Quarterbacks knew they had a safety valve. The coaching staff knew they had something generational.

But perhaps the most impressive part of Smith’s rise wasn’t the highlight-reel catches or jaw-dropping stats. It was his attitude. Teammates raved about his work ethic and humility. Coaches marveled at his attention to detail and desire to master the playbook. He wasn’t interested in attention; he was obsessed with perfection. While NIL deals and media hype circled around him, Smith remained laser-focused on football. That maturity helped him earn the trust of both the coaching staff and his teammates far sooner than most freshmen ever do.

It’s easy to forget, given his dominance, that 2024 wasn’t supposed to be his year. Ohio State had veteran receivers returning and other highly-touted recruits in the pipeline. Most expected Smith to rotate in, perhaps flash his potential in limited reps, and be ready to take over in 2025. Instead, he forced his way into the starting lineup in Week 1 and never looked back. He turned potential into production instantly, and in doing so, forced a program and fan base to recalibrate what freshman greatness looks like.

Smith’s impact extends beyond the stat sheet. His emergence shifted Ohio State’s offensive identity. What was expected to be a balanced, run-first attack quickly became a high-flying offense that revolved around No. 4. His chemistry with quarterback Devin Brown became the defining feature of the Buckeye passing game. That connection, built in spring practice and sharpened over the summer, produced one of the most lethal QB-WR tandems in college football by midseason.

Beyond X’s and O’s, Smith’s success altered recruiting narratives. Every top high school wide receiver now views Ohio State not just as a place to become great, but as a place to become great immediately. The precedent has been set. If Jeremiah Smith can dominate from day one, why can’t the next five-star receiver? That ripple effect is already being felt in recruiting circles. The Buckeyes’ 2025 wide receiver class, loaded with talent, now arrives with raised expectations and a clear example to emulate.

Even among his peers, Smith was viewed as a standard-bearer. Marvin Harrison Jr., before departing for the NFL, publicly praised Smith’s dedication and preparation, calling him “ahead of where I was as a freshman.” That kind of endorsement from one of the best receivers in Ohio State history carries weight. Smith earned it—not just through his play, but through his process.

As the season progressed, the comparisons grew louder. Some likened his frame and leaping ability to A.J. Green. Others saw shades of Julio Jones in his strength and tenacity. A few dared to say he had the polish of a young Odell Beckham Jr. While each comparison has merit, none fully capture Smith’s uniqueness. He is, as many on the Ohio State staff now say, “one of one.” And in that singular brilliance, he redefined what’s possible for a first-year player.

What comes next for Smith is almost unfair. After such a jaw-dropping debut, expectations are sky-high. But if his freshman year taught us anything, it’s that Smith doesn’t just handle pressure—he thrives in it. He embraces the spotlight without seeking it. He’s not chasing personal accolades, though they will inevitably come. He’s chasing wins, rings, and legacy. That mindset will serve him well as the focal point of Ohio State’s offense moving forward.

The bar he set in 2024 is not just for himself. It’s for every freshman receiver who puts on a scarlet and gray jersey in the years to come. It’s for every five-star prospect dreaming of instant stardom. And it’s a reminder that, even in a sport defined by development and patience, some players are simply built to dominate from the start.

Smith raised the bar—not just statistically, but culturally. He changed how Ohio State views freshmen. He changed how freshmen view Ohio State. And in doing so, he may have ushered in a new era of wide receiver excellence in Columbus.

There have been stars before. There will be stars again. But Jeremiah Smith’s freshman campaign stands as a beacon—a defining season that reset the standards of what’s possible. He wasn’t just great for a freshman. He was great, period.

And now, the bar will never be the same.