Ohio State freshman Jeremiah Smith has 63 receptions for 1,037 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. © Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Kirk Herbstreit Reveals Why Jeremiah Smith Reminds Him of Two NFL Legends 1
Jeremiah Smith keeps raising the bar at Ohio State Buckeyes. The star receiver just torched Illinois for 12 catches, 217 yards and four touchdowns in a 42-19 win. Now the Buckeyes head to Iowa City for a big road test.
Before kickoff, one of college football’s most respected voices made a surprising comparison. It points to two NFL legends, and the reason behind it says a lot.
Kirk Herbstreit compares Jeremiah Smith to Julio Jones and Terrell Owens
ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit made the comparison on SportsCenter before Saturday’s College GameDay. He was asked to name the last college receiver who compared to Smith. Instead of pointing to another Buckeye, he reached for the NFL.
Herbstreit answered directly, “I’m trying to compare him to Julio Jones, Terrell Owens,” then added, “He’s got just such a rare skill set because of his size and fluidity.”
Ohio State Buckeye Scarlet Jeremiah Smith (4) lines up against team Gary Jermaine Mathews (7) in the 1st half during the spring game at Ohio Stadium on April 12, 2025.
Ohio State Buckeye Scarlet Jeremiah Smith (4) lines up against team Gary Jermaine Mathews (7) in the 1st half during the spring game at Ohio Stadium on April 12, 2025.
The praise matches the numbers. Smith enters the Iowa game with an FBS-leading 617 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He tied Ohio State’s single-game record for touchdown catches against Illinois. Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba also compared him to LeBron James recently, and Smith has been turning heads since his freshman year.
Herbstreit also praised Smith away from the field. He called him one of the most humble superstars he has been around. He said Smith keeps pushing to improve, a mindset he also sees in Miami playmaker Malachi Toney, who grew up with Smith in Florida.
Iowa now has to find a way to slow him down, and its own head coach has a bold comparison of his own.
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz adds to the Jeremiah Smith praise
The Buckeyes star, who has made clear he never wanted to leave Ohio State, is drawing praise from the other sideline too.
Ferentz set the tone, “You talk about Smith, there are several guys over the last 20-plus years and the first guy that comes to mind would be Saquon Barkley,” Ferentz said. “They’re at a different level.”
He also pointed to Randy Moss as another comparison.
Ohio State Buckeyes Jeremiah Smith
Aug 1, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Brandon Inniss (11) talks to wide receivers Jeremiah Smith (4) and Emeka Egbuka (2) during football camp at the Woody Hayes Athletic Complex.
Herbstreit expects Iowa to build its plan around Smith, with help underneath and over the top. Ohio State often moves him before the snap, which makes it harder to jam him at the line. A clean release then puts heavy pressure on safeties.
If Iowa sends multiple defenders his way, the Buckeyes will lean on Brandon Inniss and the running game.
Next up, No. 5 Ohio State (3-1) visits No. 14 Iowa (4-0) at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS. Iowa arrives off a 20-19 win at Michigan, while Smith and the Buckeyes chase a statement road win.
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