Ohio State’s announcement regarding top recruit Jeremiah Smith following their win over Tennessee has left fans and critics buzzing, but not for the right reasons. The Buckeyes’ impressive 35-24 victory over the Volunteers might have secured them a win on the field, but the timing and tone of the announcement surrounding Smith are raising eyebrows for all the wrong reasons.
The announcement, made soon after the game, left many wondering if the Buckeyes were attempting to overshadow their own performance. Rather than focusing on the game itself, much of the conversation quickly shifted to the future of the program with Smith, a highly touted wide receiver prospect, joining the ranks. While Ohio State’s coaching staff was quick to tout Smith’s abilities and the potential he brings to the team, the way they chose to release the news was highly questionable.
Fans took to social media, expressing disappointment that the focus shifted so abruptly from a hard-fought win over a formidable Tennessee team to the recruitment of one player. Many felt the announcement was strategically planned to divert attention away from the controversy surrounding the game’s officiating, which had left both teams and fans frustrated with questionable calls throughout the contest.
Critics of Ohio State’s handling of the situation pointed out that such an announcement could be perceived as a blatant attempt to manufacture excitement and keep the momentum going after a hard-fought victory. The media spin surrounding Smith’s recruitment also raised concerns, with some wondering if Ohio State was trying too hard to leverage its win to make a splash in the recruiting world.
In the end, the timing and tone of the announcement felt off-key. While Jeremiah Smith’s commitment is certainly a major coup for Ohio State’s future, the Buckeyes’ attempt to grab headlines in the aftermath of the Tennessee victory only served to create more questions than answers. Fans and analysts alike are left to wonder if the program’s focus is truly on winning now, or if they are more interested in crafting a narrative for the future.
