Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith Declares He’s Not Finished Yet, Eyes Glory and Greatness as Buckeyes Enter 2025 Season Hungry
Jeremiah Smith isn’t done. Not even close. The Ohio State wide receiver, who entered Columbus with one of the most hyped high school résumés in recent memory, has quickly established himself as a force on the Buckeyes’ offense. Yet for all the highlight-reel plays, national headlines, and comparisons to Ohio State greats before him, Smith made one thing clear heading into the 2025 season: “I’m not finished.” It wasn’t a boast. It was a warning.
Ohio State has long been a wide receiver factory—names like Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Marvin Harrison Jr. come to mind. Now, Jeremiah Smith is not just next in line; he’s threatening to redefine the position entirely. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound phenom from Hollywood, Florida, has already shown he belongs in the conversation with the best in the nation, and he’s only scratching the surface.
The 2024 season served as Smith’s coming-out party. After being eased into the offense early in the year, his production exploded mid-season. With soft hands, elite footwork, and an uncanny ability to separate, he quickly became a favorite target for then-quarterback Devin Brown. His stat line spoke volumes: over 1,100 receiving yards, double-digit touchdowns, and countless clutch plays in critical moments. But beyond the numbers was the attitude. Smith was relentless, driven, and disciplined—a freshman who approached every practice like a veteran and every game like a title was on the line.
When asked what’s next, Smith doesn’t hesitate. “We left food on the table last year,” he said. “We’re coming back for all of it. The natty, the Heisman talk, the Biletnikoff—whatever’s out there, I’m chasing it.”
That mindset has quickly earned him the respect of teammates and coaches alike. Head coach Ryan Day, who has coached some of the best receivers in college football, didn’t mince words. “Jeremiah has the potential to be one of the greatest to wear the Scarlet and Gray,” Day said. “His work ethic, football IQ, and physical gifts are all elite. But what sets him apart is that hunger. He’s not content with just being good—he wants to be legendary.”
And it’s that quest for greatness that has made this offseason different for Smith. While many of his peers used the summer for rest and recovery, Smith immersed himself in film study, route refinement, and strength training. He’s added muscle to his frame without sacrificing speed, and his route tree has expanded under the guidance of wide receivers coach Brian Hartline.
Hartline, a former Buckeye and NFL receiver himself, has become known for molding elite talents into NFL-ready stars. With Smith, the coaching has taken on a different tone—less about basics and more about the nuance of greatness. “With Jeremiah, we’re not teaching him how to run a slant,” Hartline said. “We’re teaching him how to sell a slant and break into a post with precision. He’s already got the physical tools. Now it’s about mastering the game within the game.”
Ohio State’s 2025 offense is expected to be electric. With a new quarterback under center and an experienced offensive line, the Buckeyes are poised to challenge for a national championship. Smith, however, isn’t interested in hype or projections. “None of that matters until we go out and prove it,” he said. “We’ve got to earn every yard, every win.”
That focus has become contagious in the locker room. Senior tight end Cade Stover noted that Smith’s presence elevates the entire team. “He’s the kind of guy you follow because he leads by example. First in, last out. He’s not about talk—he’s about action.”
But for all his athletic gifts and football prowess, Smith has shown maturity beyond his years. In interviews, he’s composed and thoughtful. In the classroom, he’s focused. And in the community, he’s active—regularly volunteering with youth camps and mentoring local high school players. He credits his mother, LaToya, with instilling that mindset. “She taught me that talent means nothing if you don’t put in the work,” he said. “And that success is bigger than just football.”
Still, the football is front and center for now, and the 2025 season is shaping up to be a defining chapter in Smith’s career. He’s already being mentioned in early Heisman Trophy conversations, and scouts have labeled him a future top-five NFL Draft pick. But that buzz only fuels his drive.
“Pressure is a privilege,” Smith said. “If people are talking about me, it means I’m doing something right. But I’m not finished yet. Not until I’ve done everything I came here to do.”
That list includes beating Michigan, winning the Big Ten, capturing a national title, and etching his name into the record books alongside Ohio State legends. It’s a tall order—but if anyone is equipped to meet it, it’s Jeremiah Smith.
His goals aren’t just individual. Smith talks often about legacy—not just how he’ll be remembered, but how this entire Buckeye team will be remembered. “We’ve got a chance to do something special,” he said. “We’re not just playing for ourselves—we’re playing for the ones who came before us, and the ones who’ll come after.”
With that perspective, it’s no wonder Smith is becoming a face of the program. His leadership, even as an underclassman, is already making an impact. Young receivers look to him for guidance. Quarterbacks trust him to make the tough catches. Coaches lean on him in big moments.
He’s not just a player—he’s a standard.
And as the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Columbus. Expectations are sky-high. Critics and fans alike want to see if Smith can sustain, or even surpass, what he accomplished as a freshman. The road won’t be easy. The Big Ten is deeper than ever, and playoff expansion means more competition, more pressure, and more chances to stumble.
But if Jeremiah Smith’s mindset is any indication, he’s ready for all of it.
“This isn’t about proving people wrong,” he said. “It’s about proving myself right. I know what I’m capable of. I know what this team is capable of. And I know we’re just getting started.”
He pauses, then repeats it—softly this time, but with the same fire that’s fueled his rise.
“I’m not finished.”
That phrase may as well be the motto for this Ohio State team—a battle cry for a program hungry to return to the mountaintop and a player determined to leave a legacy that won’t be forgotten. Because in Jeremiah Smith, the Buckeyes don’t just have a star—they have a spark, a leader, and a living example of what greatness in college football can look like.
And he’s only getting started.
