Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith recently got the feature treatment from CBS Sports' Brandon Marcello. Within the long-form profile was a quote from former Buckeyes receivers coach and offensive coordinator Brian Hartline that revealed how dominant Smith was from the moment he arrived in Columbus.
As Hartline noted, Smith was one of the quickest learners he ever saw at Ohio State, which was evidenced by losing his black stripe during 2024 spring practice in a historic timeframe. Hartline's nine seasons with the program saw some of the best receivers currently in the NFL walk through the door at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
"He has the right mentality. He wants to be the greatest of all time," Hartline said. "He's willing to put in the work to be the greatest of all time. That's the formula.
"Jeremiah's mentality, and the way he hit it from his first day on campus, was a little different than maybe the other guys, because usually it takes a little more time to kind of form into that. But he had that from Day 1"
Jeremiah Smith will likely have few, if no, peers in his league this season
Smith won't have anyone looking as NFL-ready at the receiver position this coming season. As fall camp progresses, there are questions about whether Arch Manning will be what Cam Coleman needs at Texas to finally live up to his potential. Manning has not been impressive throwing the ball and has arguably been outshined by freshman Dia Bell. That could cost Coleman dearly, not having the answer he thought he was searching for in Austin.
Coleman was the only receiver who could come close in athleticism. Smith already has a proven partner in Julian Sayin, who, by all accounts, looks much improved. Sayin's improved versatility, which now includes running RPO sets, should do wonders for Smith's opportunities downfield.
The only thing that could stop Smith is an untimely injury. He's been dominant, and his supporting cast looks up to the challenge of replacing the production Carnell Tate brought to Central Ohio over the past few years.
Brian Hartline left Ohio State in a good place with Jeremiah Smith
Of course, Hartline is now in his first season at USF after taking the job in December before the Big Ten Championship. There was a sting about how poorly the game plan looked against Indiana as Hartline faded away in the locker room, but as the season starts, it's important to note that he brought #4 to the Scarlet and Gray.
Smith bought into the Buckeye Way just as Hartline did. The connection the two shared was a big reason why the program won a national championship in January 2025. Hartline's connections to all the other great receivers turned OSU into "WRU."
We don't know if Cortez Hankton could fill Hartline's shoes. We do know that Hartline laid the foundation for greatness that will continue into the future with Smith, 5-star freshman Chris Henry Jr., and 2027 5-star Jamier Brown.
Enjoy perhaps the greatest receiver Hartline ever recruited in his college football swan song this fall. And maybe even cheer for the Bulls, since Hartline left the Buckeyes' receiving corps way better than how he found it in 2018.
Add us as a preferred source on Google