Jeremiah Smith doesn’t waste words, so when the Ohio State star singles somebody out, it carries real weight.
That was the case Wednesday at Big Ten Media Days, where Smith took questions on everything from his health to his final year in college football to what it means to stay locked in as a Buckeye. But the line that stood out most came when he was asked about freshman receiver Brock Boyd.
Smith didn’t just praise Boyd. He drew a direct comparison.
"He was out there just making plays, diving for the ball, two defenders on him, doing a lot of crazy stuff. It reminded me of myself when I first got here in the spring, just out there making plays and having fun. He's going to play a lot this year.”
That’s the kind of quote that turns heads inside a program. If Smith sees a little of himself in Boyd, then Boyd has already done more than just flash in practice. He has earned notice from the top of the receiver room.
And that matters because Ohio State still has a real battle brewing behind Smith.
There are five names in the mix for three steady spots: Brandon Inniss, Devin McCuin, Kyle Parker, Boyd, and Chris Henry Jr. Any of them could make a case for a bigger role, and if none of them separate during camp, that would create a different kind of issue for the Buckeyes.
Boyd, though, is clearly in the conversation. The first hurdle is straightforward: show he can run routes and catch the ball consistently. After that comes the tougher test - the one that tells coaches whether he can handle the middle of the field, absorb contact, and play without hesitation.
If he clears those checks, Smith’s prediction could end up looking pretty sharp. Boyd may be a freshman, but he’s already made enough noise to put himself in position to be part of the rotation, and possibly line up right next to Smith on Saturdays.
In Other News...
Ryan Day Just Hinted At An Ohio State Line Shakeup
Ohio States offensive line is still in the middle of a reset after last seasons uneven play, and Ryan Day made it clear the staff is not treating the coming weeks as a formality. With four starters back and a vacancy at right guard after Tegra Tshabolas departure, the Buckeyes are trying to sort out a group that can give the offense more stability and help quarterback Julian Sayin settle in with a cleaner picture up front.
Day pointed to Phillip Daniels as one of the players whose practice work could help determine the best five, and that kind of flexibility matters because the staff is still weighing how the pieces fit. The right guard competition is part of it, but so is the broader question of whether Ohio State can lock in a lineup early enough to avoid another season of shuffling, especially with Day saying this is the deepest the line has been since he took over. [Read more 🡒]
National Buzz Is Building Around Ohio States Next Receiver Threat
National attention is starting to follow Chris Henry Jr., and for good reason. Pete Nakos recently put the Ohio State freshman on his list of true freshmen who could make an immediate impact this season, a sign that the buzz around the receiver room is already reaching beyond Columbus. With Jeremiah Smith established as the headliner, the Buckeyes are still sorting out who else can step into meaningful snaps, and Henry Jr. has the kind of talent that keeps him in that conversation.
The opportunity is real because the depth chart behind Smith is still unsettled, leaving several young receivers to battle for limited spots. If Henry Jr. keeps flashing in camp, he could put himself in position to matter right away, which is exactly why his name is drawing so much interest before the season even starts. For Ohio State, the appeal is obvious: another high-end receiver threat emerging early would only deepen a room that already carries plenty of intrigue. [Read more 🡒]