COLUMBUS, OH — Jeremiah Smith has earned more praise than almost any college football player in the past few years, and the Ohio State receiver keeps answering it the same way. Through hard work, dedication, and a respect for the game, the practice during the week only amplifies what many witness on Saturdays… pure greatness. The 200 plus career catches, to the Ohio State Triple-Crown records where he broke the program’s all-time records for career receiving yards, career receptions (surpassing Emeka Egbuka’s 205), and career receiving touchdowns that surpassed Chris Olave’s.What the Buckeyes see in practice during the week is what the country sees on Saturdays, a player operating at a level few at his position ever reach.
Smith is a Triple Crown winner, a leading Heisman Trophy candidate and a projected high pick in the NFL Draft. He is also a 2024 national champion, and he wants to add another title before his college career ends.
The comparisons keep coming, and the one that follows Smith most closely is to LeBron James. It is not hard to see why: Smith plays his position at an elite level, has dominated Big Ten and college defenses, and the parallels to James’s talent and work ethic are well-earned.
Smith stayed humble yet realistic, keeping his focus on the long game this season.
“It’s a blessing being compared to somebody that’s been doing it for over two decades at a very high level,” Smith told Nitecast Media. He noted that James is still playing in the league and called it “truly something special.“
“But like I said, I’m trying to get to that level as well,” Smith said. “So yeah, it’s truly a blessing.”
Smith shared the field last season with Carnell Tate, now a rookie with the Tennessee Titans, and said Tate was a major help during their two seasons together in Columbus. He is confident about where his former teammate is headed.
“Carnell was a big help in the last two seasons here at Ohio State. I’m truly happy for him,” Smith said. “I feel like he’s gonna win rookie of the year in the NFL.“
The two haven’t swapped football advice since Tate joined the Titans.
“We really haven’t had a conversation about football, stuff like that,” Smith explained. “We just spent time together in Miami a little bit, just have fun. But nothing really about football right now.“
Ohio State’s passing game now runs through Smith, quarterback Julian Sayin, in his second year as starter, and receiver Chris Henry Jr., and Smith said the chemistry came from putting in the work together over the summer.
“It’s been good. Julian and I spent all summer together. Coach Mick had us together working out with each other, pushing each other to a very high level,” Smith said. “And we both been stepping out of our comfort zone, pushing each other, pushing everybody in the program to get to our level. So that’s what we’ve been doing this season.”
With so much attention on his season and future, Smith kept his answer on the present. He said his priority is the Buckeyes, not the NFL right now.
“I don’t really focus on what’s in the future; I focus on what’s right now. And that’s Ohio State football, and that’s the team,” Smith said. “That’s the main focus right now. I’m not really focused on the NFL and stuff like that, but trying to make everybody around me better.“
He said that is the habit he sees in the great players he admired and respects that he emulates.
“That’s what all the greats did: Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant. That’s what LeBron James is doing,” Smith said. “That’s what I’m trying to do, trying to leave the jersey better than what I found it.”
For Ohio State, Smith’s approach may matter as much as his numbers. A star who spends his time lifting the people around him, from Sayin to Henry to the younger receivers, sets the tone for a program chasing another championship. If the comparisons to James hold up, they will hold up in part because of that habit—and because it helps define what Ohio State is trying to be.
