Every defensive player and coach had to run sprints to close out the most recent college football spring practice at Ohio State because Jeremiah Smith caught a touchdown on the last play. It was all for nothing.
The touchdown would not have counted in a game!
I cannot imagine the Buckeyes are super worried about the technicalities of college football during a team period at spring practice but the rules are the rules. Matt Patricia served jail time for a crime his defense did not commit!
Ohio State football players had to run sprints.
Approximately 60% of the roster from 2025 is slated to return to Ohio State in 2026. The offense will mostly look the same, outside of superstar wide receiver Carnell Tate, but the defense will have to replace significant production.
Linebackers Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles and safety Caleb Downs are projected to be first-round picks in the NFL Draft. Guys like defensive tackle Kayden McDonald and cornerback Davison Igbinosun are expected to be drafted in the second or third rounds. Those are huge losses!
The Buckeyes were able to reload through the transfer portal and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia expects a large number of former depth and role players to take big steps forward. However, the process of development and cohesion takes time and that is where spring practice is perhaps most valuable.
College football teams get everything dialed-in for the new season at fall camp. They set expectations for the season in the spring by working on technique, team-building, system installs and conditioning.
Ohio State got in that work at Student Appreciation Day over the weekend. The last play of the day was a battle between the offense and defense during the team portion of practice.
Julian Sayin threw a pass to Jeremiah Smith in the corner of the end zone.
His superstar pass-catcher hauled it in for a fairly wide-open touchdown.
The offense went wild.
The entire defense had to run a gasser as a result of the coverage collapse. Participants also included the entire coaching staff, which of course includes Patricia.
Except the touchdown should not have counted.
Jeremiah Smith was out of bounds!
Ohio State posted the following video of the practice-ending touchdown catch on social media:
There is no question that Jeremiah Smith secured possession of the catch and landed with two feet in the red. He is stupid athletic. (And you only need one foot down in college anyway!)
But if you look a little bit closer… you will notice that the 6-foot-3, 223-pound pass-catcher actually stepped out of bounds before he caught the pass. The touchdown should not count.
According to NCAA Rule 7-3-4, a wide receiver who voluntarily steps out of bounds cannot be the first person to touch the ball upon return to the field of play. A receiver who is forced out of bounds by a defensive player and immediately returns inbounds can legally catch the ball. “Voluntarily” is the key.
Smith absolutely stepped onto the white line, out of bounds, before he caught the touchdown pass. He should’ve been penalized for illegal touching, which results in a loss of down at the previous spot.
Matt Patricia and the Buckeyes defense ran sprints for a touchdown that shouldn’t’ve counted!