The Ohio State football team started their historic College Football Playoff run by destroying Tennessee in the first round at the Shoe. It was a game that the Buckeyes were never in danger of losing. They jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back.
Tennessee didn't know what hit them. It was clear that they were shell-shocked with what they saw. It was not something they were prepared to deal with. It wasn't just one player who was the reason why the Ohio State Buckeyes won that game; it was the whole team.
Still, one particular Ohio State player stood out from that game, according to former Volunteer Omar Norton-Lott. He said that the Vols were blown out of the water, but one particular player "rendered them powerless". He is talking about wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.
Former Tennessee player gives big praise to Ohio State football player Jeremiah Smith
Norton-Lott said that he was just simply better than any of the man-to-man coverage they played that night in the Shoe.
Asked Tennessee DT Omarr Norman-Lott who stood out from Ohio State in the CFP.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) February 26, 2025
He said “the whole team,” admitting that the Volunteers “got blown out the water,” but said Jeremiah Smith stood out in particular.
“He’s not to be messed with ... You’re like rendered powerless.… pic.twitter.com/lcJD4hKU5z
Smith tends to have that effect on teams. Tennessee certainly wasn't ready for him. He tore them up, recording six catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns. It was the first game in this run that really made him a household name across the country for college football fans.
Smith torched Oregon and Notre Dame during the run to a national title for the Buckeyes. He's probably the best player in college football heading into the 2025 season. Norton-Ott is not the only opposing player to have these thoughts about Smith and how good he is.
Brian Hartline will be tasked with keeping Smith open. Opposing teams will be doing their best to shut him down. He's going to draw a lot of attention. It's going to be up to Hartline to scheme ways for him to get open so that they don't have to force the ball to him.
The best thing about Smith is that the Buckeyes get him for two more years. He is shaping up to be perhaps the best receiver they've ever had.