The Ohio State Buckeyes are one step closer to a championship after a thrilling performance in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. On Wednesday night, the Buckeyes took down the Oregon Ducks, and much of the credit goes to their incredible wide receiver, Jeremiah Smith.
Smith, just 19 years old and in his first year of college football, was absolutely unstoppable on the field. He caught seven passes for a staggering 187 yards and scored two touchdowns, leaving Oregon’s defense scrambling for answers.
After the game, Oregon’s head coach, Dan Lanning, couldn’t help but praise the young star. “He’s strong, and the way he goes after the ball in the air is like nothing I’ve ever seen,” Lanning said. Then he added something every player dreams of hearing: “He’s NFL-ready. He’s that talented.”
Lanning didn’t stop there. “He’s a very special player,” he continued. “And Will Howard did a great job getting the ball to him tonight. Jeremiah is tough to defend—physical, skilled, just a really talented guy.”
Smith’s incredible night was just the latest in what’s been a stellar freshman season. So far, he’s racked up 70 catches, 1,224 yards, and 14 touchdowns, making him one of the most exciting players in college football.
Now, Smith and the Buckeyes, boasting a 12–2 record, are headed to Arlington, Texas, for the next big challenge. They’ll face the Texas Longhorns in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic. The game is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. EST on January 10 at AT&T Stadium.
With Smith playing at such a high level, fans are eager to see if he can help lead the Buckeyes to the championship game. One thing’s for sure—this young star is just getting started.
