Is there any debate?
No disrespect to other teams on UW’s schedule. But there isn’t a single one that matches the firepower of Ohio State. For starters, the Buckeyes boast one of the best wide receivers we’ve seen in recent memory. We say that often, I know. But it turns out to be true more often than not. That said, Jeremiah Smith is simply different.
As a true freshman, not a redshirt, the young phenom hauled in 76 passes for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns. He averaged 17.3 yards per catch. The only
team that managed to contain him was Texas, which had everyone but Bevo covering him.
The week prior, he scorched Oregon for 187 yards and two touchdowns on just seven catches in a Rose Bowl thumping. The College Football Playoff was a showcase for Smith, as even the bout with the Longhorns showed us the respect and attention he commands. He opened the CFP with 103 yards and two touchdowns on six catches against Tennessee, then closed the show with five catches for 88 yards and a touchdown against Notre Dame. His defining moment of both the game and season came when hauling in a 56-yard grab to slam the door on the Fighting Irish.
Smith produced these numbers with quarterback Will Howard distributing the ball. After the season, Howard was drafted in the sixth round by Pittsburgh. QB1 for the Buckeyes this season will be a player with much higher potential in Julian Sayin, a former five-star who relocated to Columbus from Tuscaloosa when Nick Saban retired.
“It was a close competition. I think both guys, we all feel confident, can win a game for us. I feel like our guys are confident with both quarterbacks. I feel like we are going to need both quarterbacks,” Day told reporters Monday. “Lincoln did a lot of great things, but we’re going to name Julian the starter, give him the majority of the reps with the ones, and go prepare to beat Texas.”
It takes more than one wide receiver for an offense to feel like a daunting task to contain. How about another? Former five-star Carnell Tate will step into bigger shoes following Emeka Egbuka’s departure. He logged 52 catches for 733 yards and four touchdowns last season. Alongside them is Brandon Innis, a former highly touted four-star who has waited his turn and should produce in a larger role. He caught 14 passes for 176 yards and a touchdown.
If former four-star James Peoples can produce after serving as RB3 last season, the Buckeyes could have yet another dynamic rushing attack, as he’ll split carries with bruising ex-West Virginia running back CJ Donaldson.
It’s remiss not to end this by mentioning Smith again, so here’s a reminder that he is the best player in the country.