Jeremiah Smith might already be the best wide receiver in college football after his freshman season. The Ohio State pass-catcher could be even better as a sophomore with an added 10 pounds of muscle.
He looks like an alien.
Smith, the former No. 1 overall prospect in the college football recruiting Class of 2024, immediately lived up to his ranking en route to a national championship last year. His 17.3 yards per catch totaled 1,315 receiving yards on 76 catches with 15 touchdowns. Nobody could touch him in the open field.
Time to turn the page.
Smith arrived to Columbus in January of 2024 at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds. The biggest focus of his first spring practice period and subsequent offseason was strength. The Buckeyes got him on a college weight and nutrition program to pack on 10 pounds of muscle.
As a result, Jeremiah Smith played all of last year at 215 pounds. It was more than enough weight to compete with college defensive backs without losing his explosive burst and 4.47-second 40-yard dash speed.
However, last season is last season. None of it matters as we look ahead to 2025.
Jeremiah Smith is bigger and stronger.
The rising sophomore superstar recently revealed a similar focus for this current offseason as last. Jeremiah Smith spent his spring and summer in the weight room, again, and changed his diet.
He currently weighs 225 pounds and not even one added pound is fat. All muscle.
“I’ve changed my eating habits — just eating healthy food, salmon rice with vegetables,” Smith told The Athletic. “I’m at 225 pounds. I was at 205 or 208 when I got there. Body fat, I think I’m second lowest on the team.”
Of course, there is always a concern that weight gain will impact on-field performance. That does not seem to be a concern for Smith. We’ll see come August.
Defensive backs will have nightmares.
As Ohio State’s opponents look ahead to their matchup with the reigning national champions, they might want to throw some extra bodies at the Buckeyes’ biggest weapon. They are going to try to bully him.
Jeremiah Smith is ready. He added 10 pounds of muscle for that exact reason. He knows what is coming.
Defenses are still going to struggle to slow him down.
Ohio State’s wide receiver room recently hit the pool with coach Brian Hartline. Smith (second from the right in the back row) looks like an alien.
If Smith was able to do what he did last season while 10 pounds lighter, he will be even harder to stop at 225… unless the extra weight does slow him down. We’ll see!