“Even Michigan’s Sherrone Moore Can’t Help but Praise Jeremiah Smith: Buckeyes Star Earning Respect Across Rival Lines”
Jeremiah Smith hasn’t played a down of college football yet, but already, the buzz surrounding the Ohio State freshman wide receiver has reached a fever pitch—one so loud and undeniable that even Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore, a man whose blood runs maize and blue, can’t help but acknowledge the greatness that’s unfolding in Columbus. In a rivalry where praise is scarce and grudges run deep, Moore’s words carry weight, and his respect for Smith signals just how special the Buckeyes’ newest offensive weapon truly is. It’s not every day that a Michigan man tips his cap to an Ohio State player. But Jeremiah Smith is not every player.
From the moment Smith arrived on the high school recruiting scene, it was clear he was different. Blessed with a rare combination of size, speed, hands, and route-running precision, the Florida native was tabbed as the No. 1 wide receiver in the nation and one of the highest-rated pass-catching recruits of the last decade. Offers poured in from every blue-blood program imaginable—Alabama, Georgia, USC, LSU—but Smith made his intentions known early and stuck by them. He committed to Ohio State and never wavered, even as NIL offers mounted and the college football world tried to pry him away from Brian Hartline’s grasp. It was loyalty, and it was belief—belief that Columbus was the best place for him to develop, to win, and to etch his name among the Buckeye greats.
That belief seems to be paying off faster than anyone anticipated. Smith has only been on campus for a short while, but word from inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center is that he’s already turning heads, dominating reps in practice, and drawing comparisons to NFL All-Pros. Coaches whisper his name with awe. Teammates speak of him like a future Heisman candidate. And fans are already penciling him in as WR1—even with a stacked receiver room full of elite talent.
But perhaps the most telling endorsement came not from within the walls of the Ohio State facility but from Ann Arbor, Michigan. At Big Ten Media Days, when asked about the upcoming season and the challenges ahead, Moore surprised the college football world with a moment of unfiltered honesty. When the topic of Ohio State came up, he didn’t flinch. And when Jeremiah Smith’s name was mentioned, Moore offered high praise, calling the freshman “a problem,” “special,” and “as advertised.” For Moore, who has been groomed in a rivalry that thrives on mutual disdain, to offer those words is no small thing. It’s an admission that what Ohio State has in Smith is bigger than rivalry lines—it’s the kind of talent that transcends.
Smith’s emergence couldn’t come at a more pivotal time for the Buckeyes. After three straight losses to Michigan, Ryan Day’s squad enters the 2025 season with pressure mounting and expectations boiling. The addition of quarterback Will Howard, the continued development of the offensive line, and the return of TreVeyon Henderson offer stability—but it’s the receiving corps that once again looks like the team’s true engine. And with Emeka Egbuka heading to the NFL and Marvin Harrison Jr. now starring in Arizona, there’s a need for someone new to take the mantle. Jeremiah Smith looks ready to fill that void—and more.
What sets Smith apart isn’t just physical tools, though he has those in abundance. It’s his football IQ, his meticulous attention to detail, his work ethic, and his relentless drive to compete. Coaches say he stays after practice. He watches film like a veteran. He asks the kinds of questions you’d expect from someone about to make their third Pro Bowl. And he doesn’t shy away from competition. He embraces it. Whether he’s going up against Ohio State’s top corners or challenging himself in the weight room, Smith is all in, all the time.
That attitude has become contagious. Fellow receivers have elevated their play just to keep up. Defensive backs are sharper in their coverage because they know one misstep against Smith means getting burned. And for quarterbacks, having him on the field is like having a cheat code—a safety blanket that can stretch the field, win contested catches, and turn routine slants into highlight reels.
Yet despite the hype and the headlines, Smith remains grounded. Those who know him best describe him as humble, coachable, and driven by something deeper than fame or stats. He wants to win. He wants to be remembered. And he wants to uphold the legacy of wide receiver excellence at Ohio State—a lineage that includes names like Cris Carter, Terry Glenn, Michael Thomas, Garrett Wilson, and now Harrison Jr. That’s the bar Smith is chasing. And early signs suggest he’s not just going to reach it—he might raise it.
Sherrone Moore’s comments reflect more than just admiration. They’re a signal that Michigan is watching. That even behind enemy lines, the Buckeyes’ newest star has already made his presence felt. It adds a new layer of intrigue to The Game, a rivalry already overflowing with emotion, history, and national stakes. Come November, when the two teams clash in the Horseshoe, all eyes will be on Smith. Will he be the difference-maker? Will he be the one to snap the streak and restore Ohio State’s dominance?
If the answer is yes, then it won’t just be Buckeye fans singing his praises—it’ll be the entire college football world, grudging respect included.
The truth is, players like Jeremiah Smith don’t come around often. He’s not a product of hype or marketing. He’s the real deal. And in an era where attention spans are short and hot takes fly fast, the fact that Smith has already drawn the admiration of his fiercest rivals is telling. It means he’s already made his mark, even before his first collegiate snap.
For Ryan Day, Brian Hartline, and the rest of the Ohio State staff, Smith’s development isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. The team’s aspirations for a national championship may very well hinge on his ability to produce right away. And based on everything he’s shown so far, there’s no reason to believe he won’t.
In the end, what Moore said about Smith wasn’t meant to flatter or fan flames—it was simply the truth. Sometimes, greatness is so obvious that even the most hardened rivals have to tip their cap. For Jeremiah Smith, that truth is becoming clearer by the day. And as the season draws near, the world will be watching to see just how bright the next Buckeye star will shine.
