The Ohio State Buckeyes have built their program on the back of some of the best receivers in the world.
Players like Marvin Harrison Jr., Garrett Wilson and Michael Thomas spent their collegiate days at Ohio State. Jeremiah Smith is going to be the next big superstar coming out of Columbus.
With the Buckeyes playing their quarterfinal College Football Playoff matchup against the Oregon Ducks, he’s warning his opponents not to play man coverage against either him or any of his teammates.
Here’s how Smith phrased his statement via ESPN senior writer Chris Low.
“I’m just laughing in my head. Why are y’all really playing man-on-man against us, or against me, I should say?” Smith said. “And when we see man [coverage] against any of our receivers, we’re going to take a shot down the field.”
Jeremiah Smith is ready for battle. 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/ULD12pZtnZ
— theScore (@theScore) December 30, 2024
The Buckeyes lost to the Ducks by one at Autzen Stadium in Eugene earlier in the season, 32-31. Ohio State QB Will Howard went for 326 passing yards in that battle with the Buckeyes defense allowing almost 500.
Smith ended with nine receptions for 100 yards and a score. Five players topped 30 yards, so it was a full team effort. The star freshman made sure to include his teammates in his warning to the Ducks.
If the offense duplicates that performance, expect a strong Buckeyes win on Wednesday evening; however, the defense must come to play this time around.