Jeremiah Smith hasn’t played a single down of college football yet, but the message he’s already sending to the rest of the country is loud and clear: be afraid. The highly touted freshman wide receiver for the Ohio State Buckeyes isn’t just coming to Columbus to learn—he’s coming to dominate. The moment he stepped on campus, Smith has been electric, and he’s letting the college football world know he’s not waiting his turn. He’s coming for everything, and that includes cornerbacks, defensive coordinators, national headlines, and the respect of an entire sport.

Smith, a five-star recruit from Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Hollywood, Florida, was ranked as the No. 1 wide receiver in the 2024 recruiting class by every major scouting service. With a blend of size, speed, body control, and route-running rarely seen in someone fresh out of high school, Smith is being talked about in the same breath as some of the most legendary wide receivers in recent memory. Think Julio Jones, Calvin Johnson, Ja’Marr Chase—but at 18 years old.

In recent team practices, Smith has reportedly been unguardable. Veteran defensive backs have tried to jam him at the line, and he’s shrugged them off. Others have given him cushion, only to be torched by his explosiveness off the break. In 7-on-7 drills and scrimmages, he’s looked like the best player on the field—amongst players two or three years older, with actual college experience. Coaches are stunned, teammates are buzzing, and NFL scouts are already circling his name for the 2027 draft.

But it’s not just his play that’s making headlines—it’s his attitude. Smith recently posted a short but chilling message on his social media that sent shockwaves through the college football landscape: “Every DB in the country is food. See you soon.” That’s not the kind of message that gets lost in the algorithm. It’s the kind that gets printed out and taped to defensive meeting room walls. It’s bulletin board material. But more importantly, it’s a declaration of war.

Smith’s confidence isn’t coming out of nowhere. He’s been dominating since he was a sophomore in high school, routinely torching some of the best prep competition in Florida. He’s built like a prototypical No. 1 receiver—standing 6’3″, weighing 215 pounds, with an insane wingspan and sticky hands. His high school highlights look like something out of a video game. He ran past defenders like they were standing still, made one-handed catches in traffic, and had a knack for making clutch plays when it mattered most. But at Ohio State, that kind of production isn’t just welcomed—it’s expected.

The Buckeyes have become something of a wide receiver factory in recent years. Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Marvin Harrison Jr. are just a few names that have gone from Columbus to the NFL and immediately made an impact. That lineage is part of what drew Smith to OSU in the first place. He didn’t just want to be another great receiver—he wanted to be the next great Buckeye receiver. And based on early reports, he might end up being the best of them all.

Players like Smith don’t come around often, and when they do, they make everyone around them better—or scared. He’s forcing defensive backs in practice to raise their game just to keep up. He’s making quarterbacks look elite with catches that turn average throws into highlights. He’s demanding double coverage, even in scrimmages, just to slow him down. And he’s doing all of this without having taken a single collegiate snap in a real game.

His work ethic is another thing that separates him. According to coaches, Smith is often the first to arrive at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center and the last to leave. He’s constantly studying film, asking questions, taking notes, and trying to pick up the nuances of college-level schemes. He knows that talent alone isn’t enough to be great at the next level. And while his confidence is sky-high, his approach is businesslike. That’s the terrifying part—he talks like a killer, and he works like one, too.

Teammates have already taken notice. Quarterback Will Howard, who transferred from Kansas State and is expected to start for the Buckeyes this year, said in a recent interview, “Jeremiah’s special. I’ve thrown to some really good receivers, but this kid is different. He makes you look good as a quarterback. I know if I put it anywhere near him, he’s coming down with it.”

Even Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, known for his usually measured tone, couldn’t help but glow about Smith’s early impact. “He’s got that ‘it’ factor,” Day said. “It’s not just the physical tools—although he has every one of those—but it’s the mindset. He wants to be great, and he’s putting in the work to back it up. He’s going to help us this year. No doubt about that.”

That’s a scary thing for opposing defenses. Ohio State already boasts one of the most talented rosters in the country. Adding a hungry, NFL-ready freshman like Smith to the mix might be enough to push them over the top. The Buckeyes fell short of their national title aspirations last year, but this year feels different. There’s a fire in the building, and Smith might be the spark that ignites it.

Defensive coordinators across the Big Ten are already starting to game-plan for Smith, even if they won’t admit it publicly. He’s too much of a mismatch to ignore. Play press coverage, and he’ll bully his way off the line. Drop back in zone, and he’ll find the soft spots and sit in them like a seasoned pro. Blitz the quarterback, and you risk leaving him in single coverage—which is practically a death sentence.

It’s not just college fans who are paying attention. Several NFL scouts have made unofficial visits to Ohio State’s practices just to get a glimpse of Smith in person. While he’s still years away from draft eligibility, the buzz around him is growing rapidly. Some evaluators are already saying he could be the best wide receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson. That kind of hype is hard to live up to, but Smith isn’t running from it—he’s embracing it.

And it’s not just talk. It’s not just flash. It’s the substance behind the swagger that makes his message to the rest of the college football world so potent. When Smith says, “Every DB in the country is food,” it’s not just a boast—it’s a promise backed by talent, preparation, and an insatiable hunger to prove himself.

As Week 1 approaches, all eyes will be on Ohio State—and especially on No. 4. Jeremiah Smith is no longer a secret. He’s a headline. He’s a storyline. He’s a problem. And he’s about to unleash hell on every secondary that lines up against him. The message has been sent. Now, it’s just a matter of time before the rest of the country sees what all the fuss is about.

Whether he’s racking up yards after the catch, Mossing defenders in the end zone, or simply drawing attention that frees up teammates, Smith is poised to be a game-changer from Day One. And the scariest part? He’s only just getting started.

So buckle up. The Jeremiah Smith era at Ohio State is here. And if his message holds true, a lot of defenses are about to get eaten alive.