Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning had high praise for Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith following the teams’ College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup in the Rose Bowl. The Buckeyes won the game convincingly, 41-21, and will now advance to the semifinals to take on the Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 10.
Smith stood out in the game, finishing with seven receptions for 187 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the winning effort.
What Did Dan Lanning Say About Jeremiah Smith?
Lanning explained how Smith was a special talent with a very bright future ahead of him.
“Yeah, he’s strong. He attacks the ball in the air as well as any receiver I’ve seen,” he detailed.
“The guy’s NFL ready. He’s that talented, he’s very special.” @oregonfootball‘s Dan Lanning speaks about how tough it was to stop @OhioStateFB‘s freshman star WR @Jermiah_Smith1 in the Rose Bowl ⬇️✨ pic.twitter.com/8fgUsx6EJn
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) January 2, 2025
Lanning went further in outlining his belief that Smith was NFL-ready, despite only being in his freshman year at Ohio State.
“I mean, the guy’s NFL-ready. He’s that talented. He’s very special,” he stated.
Jeremiah Smith’s 2024 Season and Beyond
Smith has enjoyed a standout freshman year for the Buckeyes this year and has gained the attention of football coaches, fans, and analysts alike. On the campaign, he has 70 receptions for 1,224 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns.
Should he continue down this path of college football dominance, Smith could wind up being a high NFL Draft pick when he decides to declare. College Football Network’s James Fragoza recently stated that — if he were eligible for the 2025 or 2026 NFL Drafts — he would be the top-ranked receiver already.
In addition, he has the talent and the ability to become a major receiving force for the Buckeyes for many years to come.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Playoffs with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
Prior to that, however, Smith and the Buckeyes still have major aspirations for this current season, one of which sees them in the semifinal matchup against the Longhorns, with a win punching their ticket to the national championship game.
Ohio State entered the College Football Playoff as the No. 8 seed in the nation, while Texas is No. 5. The No. 6-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions will take on the seven-seeded Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the other semifinal matchup.
Regardless of how it plays out for the Buckeyes this season, it’s evident that Smith has gained the recognition and appreciation of one of the top college football coaches in the country.
Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning has high praise for Ohio State Buckeyes standout receiver Jeremiah Smith.
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