Jeremiah Smith, the star wide receiver for Ohio State, is a force to be reckoned with on the field. But what makes him so exceptional? According to his former coach, Brian Hartline, Smith’s success is not just about natural ability, but also about understanding the ‘why’ behind his actions.

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A Legacy in the Making

At just 20 years old, Smith has already cemented his legacy as one of the greatest receivers in Ohio State history. With 163 catches for 2,558 receiving yards in his first two seasons, he has electrified the sport and helped lead the Buckeyes to a national championship as a freshman. But despite his impressive stats, Smith has yet to snag the Biletnikoff Award, a testament to his humility and dedication to the game.

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‘I’m not acting like there aren’t other pressures or other people around him that could have swayed him,’ Hartline said. ‘But he always shot me straight. His dad always shot me straight. And that’s who they are to this day. Everything they say is real.’

The Education of Jeremiah Smith

For two years, Hartline worked with Smith to develop his skills and understanding of the game. They spent countless hours on the field, with Hartline quizzing Smith on the ‘why’ behind his actions. ‘When you say go, that dude goes,’ Hartline said. ‘He doesn’t think twice about, ‘Should I, or am I saving myself for the next round?’ He just goes.’

But despite his natural ability, Smith still had much to learn. ‘Frankly, he was just learning all the things of why he did what he did and why it was good,’ Hartline said. ‘He just did it because he did it. He didn’t really know the why behind it.’

So the two spent their time together as a constant quiz for Smith. They’d run a route that worked, and Hartline would stop him. ‘Why was that good?’ he’d ask. ‘I don’t know. So we spent the first two years just – he always wants a challenge. So I’m always finding different ways to challenge him. But he’s also trying to learn the why. Like, why are things good? Why are things bad?’

A Legacy of Loyalty

Despite the temptation of bigger paydays and the lure of his hometown team, Miami, Smith has remained loyal to Ohio State. ‘I never really thought about leaving Ohio State,’ he said. ‘I always wanted to be at Ohio State.’

‘It would be dumb for me to leave Ohio State and go to another team when I have the best offensive line in the country, the best quarterback in the country, the best coaches in the country,’ he added. ‘That would be a stupid move for me to go somewhere else.’

Smith’s loyalty is a testament to the strong bond he formed with Hartline and his family. ‘He has the right mentality,’ Hartline said. ‘He wants to be the greatest of all time. He’s willing to put in the work to be the greatest of all time.’

And with his current stats and dedication to the game, it’s clear that Smith is well on his way to achieving his goal. But as Hartline noted, it’s not just about the physical excellence – it’s about the mental understanding of the game that sets Smith apart.

‘How does he become his own coach as coaches change?’ Hartline asked. ‘If you don’t have that foundation, then you’re so reliant on coaching that it’s really hard to be successful in the long run, because coaches move around so much.’

With his current trajectory, Smith is poised to become one of the greatest receivers in Ohio State history. But as he continues to grow and develop as a player, it’s clear that his legacy will be one of loyalty, dedication, and a deep understanding of the game.