Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith ‘generational talent’

Jack Daniels has never seen such a catch.

The 35-year-old South Florida high school coach played Chaminade-Madonna — and the future Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith — in the playoffs.

“They faced us well and they threw the ball back,” Daniels recalled. “And (Smith) went up — I think he went about 5 feet over the goal post over the Power 4 corner kid (Kevin Levywho is now at Rutgers). … it was amazing.”

Cardinal Newman’s coach has met dozens of future NFL wide receivers over the years, including Pro Football Hall of Famer Devin Hester and Super Bowl champion Anquan Boldin.

For Daniels, Smith stands alone.

“He’s head and shoulders, the best I’ve ever seen,” Daniels said, comparing Smith’s high school prowess. Baltimore Ravens MVP quarterback Lamar JacksonFrom Boynton Beach Community High School.

“There was nothing like it.”

Archbishop Carroll coach Jorge Zagales, who also lost to Chaminade in the playoffs, remembers only one opposing player in three decades who could dominate like Smith.

“I coached against Sean Taylor … and Jeremiah is right up there with, if not the same as Sean Taylor,” Zagales said of the former Gulliver Prep Pro Bowl safety, who died at age 24. “Sean Taylor probably would. I think that’s how the Hall of Fame and Jeremiah feel.”

Clearwater Central Catholic coach Chris Harvey grew up watching Randy Moss play at Dupont High School in West Virginia. As a coach, Harvey had never met anyone like Moss – until he met Smith in the Florida State championship game.

“You saw what (Moss) did to a pro DB, so imagine what he did to a West Virginia DB in high school,” Harvey said. “I love my state. But we’re not West Virginia in Florida. We’ve got guys — and Jeremiah Smith made us look like West Virginia high school DBs.”

All this may sound hyperbolic.

With the exception of seven games into his freshman season at Ohio State, Smith — still only 18 years old — is one of the best players in college football, along with a freshman at Alabama. Ryan Williams and a Colorado Heisman Trophy candidate Travis Hunter.

“His physical skills (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) are unmatched for someone his age, but what sets him apart is his maturity level. There are many guys who can fall for this hype. You Ohio State offensive coordinator and former NFL head coach Chip Kelly, who noted that Smith works like a “10-year NFL veteran.”

“The way he looks at meetings, the way he looks at practice,” Kelly said, “is rare.

Despite playing in an Ohio State offense loaded with future specialists, including running back Quinshawn Judkins and Treveyon Hendersonand preseason All-American wide receiver Emeka EgbukaSmith leads the Buckeyes with 623 receiving yards on 35 receptions.

Last week, Smith tied Chris Carter’s Ohio State freshman record set in 1983 with the eighth-straight Nebraska defense for a 60-yard score.

In Saturday’s Big Ten contest against third-ranked Penn State, Smith needs just seven receptions and 26 receiving yards to break Carter’s other freshman program records, though he still trails Michael Crabtree’s national freshman receiving records at Texas Tech in 2007 (134 for receiving) 1,962 yards and 22 touchdowns).

Smith has reached the end zone in every game this season, highlighted by his one-handed touchdowns against Michigan State and Iowa State.

JEREMIAH SMITH HELD BY ONE HAND WITHOUT BOTH FAITH 🤯

THEY CAN’T LOOK AT IT 👀 pic.twitter.com/vGUUs6rn41

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 29, 2024

For those who met Smith in high school, this incredible catch is nothing new.

In the state championship, Harvey hosted Chaminade quarterback CJ Bailey threw the ball.

“And then this hand comes out of nowhere,” Harvey said. “And (Smith) pulls it back for a touchdown like Stretch Armstrong. It was definitely one of the best catches I’ve ever seen. But the thing is, he does it often, and even he doesn’t get excited about it.”

Harvey and Clearwater Catholic lost the last two state championships to Chaminade, 104-14. Smith caught 11 passes for 170 yards in the second title game en route to a 56-0 victory for Chaminade’s third straight state championship.

“That’s what happens when you play generational talent,” University of South Florida coach Alex Golesh, who was in attendance afterward, consoled Harvey.

“He is,” Harvey said. “And outside of Randy Moss, I’ve never seen someone with the ability to take over a game in that position.”

Smith did not reach this level by accident.

North Carolina running back Davion GauseSmith, who grew up with him and played with him at Chaminade, recalled Smith being kicked off the youth football team 11 years ago.

“He still came to the park every day and watched us practice and played with his dad all the time,” Gause said. “When he came back the next year, he was a different player.”

Bailey, who played on another youth team, remembers Smith dominating the championship game the following year.

“He killed us,” said Bailey, now NC State’s starting quarterback.

Bailey, Gause and Smith later joined forces at Chaminade to form one of the nation’s best high school teams. Chaminade coach Dameon Jones said he hasn’t had a player work harder in practice than Smith.

“His mindset, the way he’s so young, it’s crazy,” Coach Jones said. Miami Dolphins defender Tyler Huntley and Cincinnati Bengals running back Zach Moss. “I’ve never seen him before… He’s the total package.”

As a junior, Smith suffered a hamstring injury. Jones asked Smith to sit out some exercises to allow the hip to heal.

“He was mad at me,” Jones said. “He told me, ‘I’m not going to miss a practice, I’m not going to miss a rep.’

Smith brought that work ethic to Columbus. This summer, he was an Ohio State freshman who was named an Iron Buckeye, given to top performers in offseason workouts.

“Jeremiah is already a force in the weight room,” said Egbuka, who was also honored.

It was the one-handed catches that stood out for Smith this season.

Later Odell Beckham Jr. made his famous one-handed landing New York Giants In 2014, Gause recalled Smith trying to recreate it.

Later Chaminade, Smith and co Joshisa TraderThe pitcher, who now works as a receiver in Miami, has been making one-handed catches every day with the Machines. Jones gets angry when players try to get one-handed in the game. But after seeing how thoroughly Smith executed them, Jones had to give up.

“The things you’re seeing right now in college are hands-down with them,” Bailey said, “I’ve seen crazier things.”

One of those one-handed catches was on ESPN when they beat Miami Central.

“(He) kills other defenses,” the Pitt defensive end said Zachary Crothershe also played for Chaminade. “It’s safe to say the defense is scared. They didn’t want to be there.”

Bailey knew Smith would be special in his first 7-on-7 tournament; Smith played at Monsignor Edward Pace his freshman year before transferring to Chaminade as a sophomore. The Lions lost a point and time ran out.

“We got the play called,” Bailey said. “It’s a clutch moment. But JJ (Jeremiah) walks up to (offensive coordinator) and says, ‘I want a pass.’ Coach says, ‘OK, let him run.’

Bailey passed the ball to Smith, who chipped the ball low over the defender. Chaminade then singled to win the game.

“And we’ve never lost a 7-on-7 tournament,” Bailey said. “With him, I saw everything.”

Despite being the No. 1 high school receiver in the nation, Smith only asked Jones for the ball once.

American Heritage trash-talked Smith during one of Chaminade’s few contested games.

“So we threw a bomb to (Smith) and it went right over him,” Jones said. “The thing about Jay Jay is that he’s quiet, he’s humble. But he’s got the mind of a dog.”

Smith kept that mentality in college. Over the past three years, the Buckeyes have had four first-round picks at receiver Garrett Wilson, Chris Olav, Jackson Smith-Njigba and Marvin Harrison Jr.

This spring Arizona Cardinals Harrison was selected with the fourth overall pick, making him the highest drafted receiver in Ohio State history. But Smith-Njigba believes Smith could eventually be higher than any of them, even though he won’t be eligible until the 2027 draft.

“He could play a year in college and be ready for the league,” Smith-Njigba said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a young receiver like him.”