Jeremiah Smith will return to Ohio State this fall after helping the Buckeyes win their first national championship since 2014.
The star wide receiver isn’t satisfied with just one title. Smith made it clear he’s motivated by the team’s playoff loss and ready to dominate in 2025.
“It’s going to be scary,” Smith told “The Silver Bulletin.” “I’m gonna be on go every game. I feel like this year they took something from me and everybody gotta pay for it. I’m out for everybody.”
“I don’t think it’s even close that Jeremiah Smith is the best offensive player in college football. If it’s close, I’d like to know who it is.”
That’s how Ryan Day described his receiver last October after a 42-3 win over Minnesota. The head coach has consistently praised Smith throughout his career.
Day pointed to Smith’s maturity as what separates him from other players.
“All of these guys are very prideful, all of them want the ball, all of them have expectations,” Day told reporters. “And to see the unselfishness each week of a bunch of guys that just want to win, like that’s winning football in a day and age that there’s a lot that’s going on.”
The Buckeyes’ championship run showcased exactly what Day was talking about.
Smith’s combination of talent and team-first attitude helped Ohio State navigate through the expanded College Football Playoff format. His performance in crucial moments demonstrated why Day considers him the nation’s top offensive player.
For Ohio State, winning championships is the standard expectation.
The program has built its reputation on competing for national titles. Smith’s return gives the Buckeyes a proven weapon who already knows what it takes to win at the highest level.
That championship experience could prove valuable as Ohio State looks to repeat in 2025.
Smith’s motivation heading into the off-season suggests he’s not done making his mark in college football. His workhorse mentality will be crucial for the Buckeyes’ offensive success next season.
