Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day and offensive coordinator/WR coach Brian Hartline cannot continue to let the consensus best player in college football, sophomore receiver Jeremiah Smith, make a minimal impact.
After a quiet performance in a loud statement win for OSU against the Texas Longhorns in Week 1, Smith is set to be featured in the special teams.
As Bucknuts' Patrick Murphy explained, Ohio State's special teams have seriously struggled. On a national scale. To the point where it's been a glaring weakness on a team that's elite everywhere else.
So Smith getting such reps is a good way to solve two of the team's biggest problems: not getting him involved enough and getting more out of a special teams that has lacked explosiveness in the return game.
"Given the talent and athleticism on the roster, it's difficult to explain the lack of return success for the program over the past decade. Despite winning the national championship last season, the Buckeyes ranked second-to-last in college football in average kick return yards (10.2) and No. 59 nationally in average punt return yards (8.5 yards)," Murphy wrote.
"On Saturday, Smith had six receptions on 10 targets for 43 yards. While the Buckeyes shouldn't have to manufacture touches for Smith in future games, using him as a punt returner occasionally could be a way to get the ball into the hands of arguably the best offensive player in college football."
Day and Hartline collaborated with TE coach Keenan Bailey and quality control coach Matt Guerrieri to make the exciting decision. Against the Grambling State Tigers and Ohio Bobcats, there's highlight-reel potential in sending Smith out in special teams.
Perhaps it's a decision that can pay off later in the season. Or hurt them. We can revisit this if there's a game-defining play in the College Football Playoff either way with Smith and Ohio State's kick return unit.
Either way, more touches for Smith is what's best for college football.
And, to justify his seven-figure salary, best for the Buckeyes' business.