Jeremiah Smith's Dominant First Half vs. Oregon Left College Football Fans in Awe

Karl Rasmussen | Jan 1, 2025

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith scores a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks at the Rose Bowl. / Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

The explosive Ohio State Buckeyes offense jumped out to a scalding hot start against the Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl, grabbing a 14–0 lead before the end of the first quarter. No one made more of an impact than Jeremiah Smith, who was unguardable early on.

Smith, a true freshman wide receiver, showcased why he's touted as a future first-round pick in the NFL draft. He torched the Ducks secondary multiple times as he racked up over 100 yards in the first quarter alone, including the game-opening touchdown on Ohio State's very first drive.

Smith racked up five catches, 161 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, proving to be a total matchup nightmare for Dan Lanning's secondary. His performance caught the eye of college football, with plenty of fans and personalities sharing lofty praise for the 19-year-old superstar.

JEREMIAH SMITH IS ABSURD #PMSCFPESPN2 pic.twitter.com/d2oPXjWbHk

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 1, 2025

Jeremiah Smith is football’s version of LeBron James

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 1, 2025

Jeremiah Smith would be WR1 in this draft. He'd be WR1 in next year's draft.

And he gets to compete with Ryan Williams to be WR1 in his own (2027) draft class.

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) January 1, 2025

Jeremiah Smith gives me some Andre Johnson vibes.

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) January 1, 2025

Oregon DBs trying to contain Jeremiah Smith pic.twitter.com/ulRjmyNrEz

— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) January 1, 2025

Why doesn't Oregon cover Jeremiah Smith? Are they stupid?

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) January 1, 2025

Jeremiah Smith would be the first pick as a true freshman.

— Quincy Avery (@QuincyAvery) January 1, 2025

Throw the ball to Jeremiah Smith literally every play pic.twitter.com/GIr9OBmi7H

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) January 1, 2025

Jeremiah Smith isn’t human. And it’s awfully quiet from the Ryan Day critics. This is a STATEMENT by the Buckeyes!

— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) January 1, 2025

Throw it to 4.

— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) January 1, 2025

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