While former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel would not put wide receiver Jeremiah Smith above the receivers he coached while on the Buckeyes, he knew Smith would become a star upon his arrival.
Tressel felt confident about Smith's stature as a prospect when he was at spring practice the season after former Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. departed the program and was selected fourth in the 2024 NFL Draft.
"I remember saying to coach Day, I said, 'Coach Day, I know I'm a dinosaur and I don't know the game like you guys do in today's world, but man, I don't know if you're going to miss Marvin Harrison as much as you think you are," Tressel told CBS Sports.
Tressel continued: "That No. 4, I had some great receivers − I'm not saying
he's better than my receivers, to the guys that are watching − but, man, he's special. And he turned out to be that ... They said that his work ethic in the weight room and in the film room is extraordinary. Competitive guy, and he was just voted captain. He's as good as it gets."
At Ohio State, Tressel coached three receivers who became first-round NFL draft picks: Ted Ginn Jr. (ninth overall in 2007), Michael Jenkins (29th overall in 2004) and Santonio Holmes (25th overall in 2006).
Smith will become eligible for the NFL draft after this season.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Jim Tressel on OSU WR Jeremiah Smith: 'He's as good as it gets'
