'He's a freak': Jeremiah Smith making big first impression on Ohio State quarterbacks
After quarterback Devin Brown threw passes to Jeremiah Smith during a workout on Sunday, he again left dazzled.
“Every time I throw to him, I’m like, ‘Geez, this kid’s a stud,’” Brown said. “He’s going to be a freak.”
Smith enrolled at Ohio State in January with lofty expectations. The wide receiver from South Florida was the top-ranked prospect in nation in the last recruiting class and among the highest-rated to sign with the Buckeyes in the last two decades.
Even before the start of spring practice on Tuesday, he has stood out to those who will be getting him the ball.
“He’s turned some heads,” said Will Howard, the quarterback who transferred from Kansas State. “He’s going to be a really special player.”
Smith’s size and body control have made one of the biggest impressions.
“He’s super smooth and athletic,” Brown said. “He's a big kid that could snag it literally anywhere.”
Brown added that Smith made a handful of one-handed catches during their latest throwing session.
“This kid’s just freaky,” he said.
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While Ohio State has not released a spring roster detailing the heights and weights for players, multiple recruiting services listed Smith as 6 feet, 3 inches, a height that would make him one of its tallest pass catchers.
Among the Buckeyes’ receivers from last season, only Marvin Harrison Jr. and walk-on David Adolph would have been taller. They were each listed at 6 feet, 4 inches.
Smith’s approach in meetings and strength and conditioning workouts have also caused others to take notice.
“He handles things the right way,” Brown said, “handles everything right in the weight room.”
As the quarterbacks spoke with reporters on Monday, Smith was seen working out with Harrison on the indoor field at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
Smith was following Harrison, who is training for the NFL draft, catching passes from a Monarc Seeker, a machine that fires out balls for them to grab.
Added Emeka Egbuka, one of his fellow receivers, “He came in and he put his head down and he worked.”
If his momentum continues in spring practices, he figures to be in the mix to start. Egbuka is the only returning starting receiver with Harrison turning pro and Julian Fleming transferring to Penn State.
Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch and can be reached at jkaufman@dispatch.com.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Jeremiah Smith, top WR prospect, impressing Ohio State quarterbacks
