The No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes captured the 2025 national championship with help from standout wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, whose freshman season quickly set him apart.
Head coach Ryan Day recently addressed Smith’s evolving responsibilities, emphasizing his growth both physically and as a leader since arriving in Columbus.
Ohio State’s Ryan Day Highlights Jeremiah Smith’s New Responsibilities
Ohio State standout wide receiver Jeremiah Smith continues to expand his role as one of the Buckeyes’ most valuable players. Against Texas, the sophomore drew attention when he lined up for a punt return, a duty not often given to a player of his stature.
Smith caught a 52-yard punt from Longhorn specialist Jack Bouwmeester, opting for a fair catch. Still, the moment sparked questions about how frequently he might appear in that role moving forward.
Head coach Ryan Day addressed Smith’s usage, making clear it was not a one-time move.
“He’ll continue to have an opportunity to be back there because we think that he gives us something back there, as you can imagine, when the ball is in his hands,” Day said.
“We’ll figure out game plan-wise when he’s going to be back there. And we’ll keep working on giving him an opportunity and working and grinding to make sure that the guys on the return team (set him up well).”
Ryan Day on Jeremiah Smith earning a rep as a punt returner against Texas:
“If we had held up just a little bit longer and given him a chance to return that, we were in a pretty good position there,” Day said. “We were trying to keep it sort of quiet that he was getting some of…
— Chase Brown (@chaseabrown__) September 4, 2025
Day admitted that Smith nearly had space to make a return.
“If we had held up just a little bit longer and given him a chance to return that, we were in a pretty good position there,” Day said.
“We were trying to keep it sort of quiet that he was getting some of that work back there. He’ll continue to have an opportunity to be back there. We think he gives us something back there, as you can imagine, when the ball is in his hands.”
Day also pointed to the atmosphere inside Ohio Stadium during the win over Texas as an example of the program’s appeal to recruits.
“It was rocking. It was loud,” Day said. “If you don’t want to come to Ohio State after watching that game, I don’t know if you like football.”
Ryan Day said Ohio Stadium’s atmosphere and environment for Ohio State vs. Texas should have stood out to recruits.
“It was rocking. It was loud. If you don’t want to come to Ohio State after watching that game, I don’t know if you like football,” Day said.
— Chase Brown (@chaseabrown__) September 4, 2025
Smith’s versatility and leadership appear central to both the Buckeyes’ success and Day’s vision for the program. By highlighting Smith’s development, Day underscored the standard he expects within the program, sending a direct message to future recruits about the culture at Ohio State.
Smith and the now-top-ranked Buckeyes will defend the “Shoe” again this week when they host FCS Grambling State on Saturday, September 6.
