Ohio State may have one of the most electrifying players in college football—and the scary part for opposing teams is that he’s just a freshman.
Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, the former No. 1 overall recruit, has wasted no time making his presence felt for the Buckeyes. Through his first two games, Smith has already racked up 11 catches for 211 yards and three touchdowns, with receiving totals of 92 and 119 yards, respectively.
While Smith’s early dominance is already turning heads, one of the most notable reactions came from college football legend Tim Tebow. During fall camp, Tebow had a chance to watch Smith in action, and his initial impression was nothing short of awe. Tebow even went as far as comparing the young receiver to one of the NFL’s greatest wideouts.
“I was at practice during fall camp, and I was like, ‘What? This is a joke.’ This kid is so gifted,” Tebow told On3. “I know it sounds like a lot, and I don’t mean for it to be hyperbole, but I remember going against Julio Jones in his freshman year, and that was the first name that popped into my brain when I saw Smith.”
Tebow continued, “I thought, ‘Whoo, he reminds me of Julio.’ And I don’t put many players in Julio’s category. There are very few—Julio, A.J. Green, and a couple of others. But that’s who came to mind watching Smith. He’s still got a way to go to reach Julio’s level, but the resemblance is there.”
At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, Smith is a physically imposing receiver whose size and athleticism make the comparisons to Julio Jones seem fitting. His NFL-ready frame and college-level polish have allowed him to emerge as Ohio State quarterback Will Howard’s top target from the start.
Smith’s breakout began right away in Week 1, and as the competition gets tougher, his performances will only grow more impressive. He is already on pace to shatter every freshman receiving record in Ohio State’s history—no small feat at a school where freshmen rarely dominate, especially at the wide receiver position.
Smith’s ability to thrive immediately has earned him comparisons to NFL greats, and if his first few games are any indication, the young phenom is well on his way to etching his name among the best in college football history.
