Ohio State football freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith draws high praise from Jim Knowles
Jeremiah Smith, the dazzling freshman wide receiver, has garnered buzz throughout Ohio State spring practice.
The glowing praise continued on Wednesday night.
Speaking during an appearance on 97.1 The Fan to preview the spring game, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said Smith has been as good as any of the Buckeyes in practices.
“He’s fantastic,” Knowles said. “He may be the best player on the field already. He really is an exciting guy.”
Smith enrolled at Ohio State in January with no shortage of hype. A five-star receiver from South Florida, he had been the top overall prospect in the nation during the last recruiting cycle.
In the early stages of this offseason, Smith has lived up to that pedigree.
When the Buckeyes opened a scrimmage to students two weeks ago, he shined, making several contested catches against a secondary that was among the best in the nation a year ago.
A one-handed grab he made in practices last Friday, displaying the 6-foot-3 wideout’s seasoned body control, went viral online as well after it was posted on the Buckeyes’ social media accounts. He made another one-handed catch for a touchdown during a goal line drill in Friday's practice.
More: As Ohio State football reloads at wide receiver, it carries a South Florida flavor
More: Join the Ohio State Sports Insider text group with Bill Rabinowitz, Joey Kaufman Adam Jardy
Smith’s ability has prompted Knowles to make adjustments.
“To make sure that we have him accounted for,” Knowles said, “because he’s going to dominate any 1-on-1 matchup.”
The Buckeyes have boasted premier pass-catching talent in recent seasons, most notably Marvin Harrison Jr., who captured the Biletnikoff Award last season and could become their first receiver to be taken in the top-five of the NFL draft later this month.
But neither Harrison, nor Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave or Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who were drafted in the first round the last two years, started as freshmen.
With two starting spots open, Smith can make a push over the next five months to be the exception to the trend.
If Smith does, it won't be for Knowles to worry about.
“I’m glad he’s on our team,” Knowles said.
Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch and can be reached at jkaufman@dispatch.com.
Get more Ohio State football news by listening to our podcasts
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State receiver, gets high praise from Jim Knowles
