Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith Declares LSU as ‘Wide Receiver U’
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has quickly made a name for himself as an elite talent in college football. The 19-year-old has had an impressive start to his second season, leading the Big Ten with 49 receptions for 602 yards and seven touchdowns. His performance has solidified his status as a key player for the Buckeyes.
Ohio State’s Elite Wide Receiver Program
Under the direction of offensive coordinator Brian Hartline, Ohio State has produced five first-round wide receivers in the last three NFL drafts. Notable alumni include:
- Garrett Wilson (New York Jets) – 2022
- Chris Olave (New Orleans Saints) – 2022
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seattle Seahawks) – 2023
- Marvin Harrison Jr. (Arizona Cardinals) – 2024
- Emeka Egbuka (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) – 2025
This impressive pipeline has led to Ohio State being referred to as “Wide Receiver University,” or WRU. However, competition comes from LSU, another program known for developing top-tier wide receivers.
LSU’s Strong Wide Receiver Legacy
In recent years, LSU has also produced first-round draft picks, including:
- Odell Beckham Jr. (New York Giants) – 2014
- Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings) – 2020
- Ja’Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals) – 2021
- Malik Nabers (New York Giants) – 2024
- Brian Thomas Jr. (Jacksonville Jaguars) – 2024
Smith’s Candid Admission
In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Jeremiah Smith expressed his thoughts on the ongoing debate over which school deserves the title of WRU. He acknowledged LSU’s current dominance, stating, “It’s pretty tough, but I’m gonna have to say LSU right now. They got the two top guys. They got Ja’Marr Chase, they got Justin Jefferson.”
Despite this admission, Smith believes Ohio State will soon regain its status. He noted Egbuka’s successful rookie season with Tampa Bay and highlighted his teammate, Carnell Tate, as a projected first-round pick in next year’s draft.
Ohio State’s Season Performance
The Buckeyes currently hold a 7-0 record in the college football season and remain focused on their goal of winning a second consecutive national championship. Ohio State is set to face the Penn State Nittany Lions in Columbus, with kickoff scheduled for 12:00 p.m. ET this Saturday.
As the season progresses, the rivalry between Ohio State and LSU continues to fuel excitement among college football fans.
