There’s a present debate concerning the prime freshman large receiver this season. Alabama’s Ryan Williams is 17 years outdated. Ohio State’s Jeremiah, J.J., Smith is eighteen. Both had been spectacular and, at occasions, astonishing, within the preliminary month of the season whereas taking part in for groups aspiring for a nationwide title.
However, in accordance to Geno Smith — Jeremiah’s relative and the beginning QB of the Seattle Seahawks — there’s a extra important assertion to be made about No. 4 in scarlet and grey, the highest prospect within the 2024 recruiting cycle as per On3 Industry Rankings.
Prior to the Week 6 conflict between No. 3 Ohio State and Iowa, CBS Sports shared a video interview of Jeremiah by Jenny Dell, who displayed a pre-recorded clip of Geno discussing his cousin’s spectacular efficiency with two touchdowns from the earlier month.
“I’ve watched J.J. since he was around 10,” Geno shared. “He’s going to be the greatest receiver ever. I truly believe that.”
Geno continued, and Jeremiah briefly smiled: “I was there. I witnessed the entire [Akron] game when he caught that first touchdown. I jumped out of my seat. The whole house went wild. It was great to see. I thought he played exceptionally well. Initially, I thought he was slow to start. I know he wanted to catch that first one. He could have scored on that play as well — come on, J.J. But he had a great debut. I believe he did terrific. He has natural talent, and he’s putting in the work and is prepared. He’s ready right now.”
Dell then questioned Jeremiah about his ideas on listening to Geno proclaim that he'll turn out to be “the greatest receiver ever.”
“I feel the same way,” Jeremiah instructed Dell, through CBS Sports. “A lot of people, not just my cousin, have told me. Many people I grew up with, playing football, who have been involved in the sport for a long time, have reiterated the same sentiment to me. So, it’s not something new to me. But it’s definitely a bold statement, and I just need to continue working to achieve that.”
Prior to Geno beginning his profitable NFL journey, which started with struggles in New York earlier than his rise in Seattle years later, he gained fame at West Virginia.
Jeremiah is drawing on the experiences Geno had with the Mountaineers again then.
“Having a significant cousin is special,” Jeremiah defined to Dell, through CBS Sports, “because he has encountered what I'm about to face in college, everything that comes with it. So he's been through it. I know I can approach him about anything and talk to him about all that is going on, because he's been through it, for sure.”
LeBron James shares ideas about Jeremiah Smith after freshman’s spectacular displaying in opposition to Michigan State
Current Ohio State athletes admired Jeremiah Smith’s one-handed show late within the first half in opposition to Michigan State. Former Ohio State athletes did the identical.
And so did LeBron James.
“It holds significance,” Smith said postgame when requested about James commenting on Smith’s outstanding one-handed catches through the 38-7 victory over the Spartans.
“Watching LeBron while growing up, looking up to him, and admiring the things he did on the basketball court, it means a lot to me.”
Smith was excellent in Spartan Stadium, significantly on Ohio State’s closing first-half drive.
Initially, the promising freshman caught a 27-yard pass from beginning QB Will Howard. He leaped between two Michigan State defenders, grabbed the downfield move together with his proper hand, secured it together with his left hand whereas sustaining physique management and staying in bounds.
Three performs later, on Third-and-10, Smith used his proper hand to snag a 17-yard throw from backup QB Devin Brown, who briefly changed Howard after he was winded. Smith made the one-handed seize easily whereas scoring his second landing of the sport.
He additionally discovered the tip zone on a well-executed, 19-yard end-around earlier within the first half.
“I believe he possesses all the attributes of a top-notch receiver,” Buckeyes senior large receiver Emeka Egbuka stated about Smith postgame. “Certainly, he’s tall, quick, robust, and possesses all these qualities. Yet, his willingness to search information and eagerness to study — he doesn’t have to heed all my recommendation or that of Coach Hart (Brian Hartline), however he assimilates this data and applies it on the sector.
“As his understanding grows, and his game expands, he's set to become something extraordinary. Buckeye fans have every reason to be excited for the upcoming years.”
Smith concluded the Michigan State match with 5 receptions for 83 yards and a landing, as well as to the beforehand talked about 19-yard speeding TD.
He at present has six touchdowns in his preliminary 4 video games donning the Buckeyes uniform. The Chaminade-Madonna Prep standout from Miami Gardens, Florida, leads Ohio State with 364 receiving yards and 5 receiving scores.
