From the moment Jeremiah Smith stepped on the Ohio State campus, the buzz was unmistakable. Analysts across the country, including ESPN’s Greg McElroy, were already making comparisons between Smith and all-time great receivers. McElroy drew a particularly bold parallel, comparing Smith’s arrival to that of Julio Jones when he stepped on campus at Alabama—both physical specimens, both built like NFL players from day one, and both possessing a maturity that belied their age. Smith wasn’t just a five-star recruit with elite traits—he carried himself like a veteran, and it showed the moment he hit the field.
Smith’s freshman campaign more than lived up to the hype. He finished the season with a staggering 76 receptions, 1,315 yards, and 15 touchdowns, immediately asserting himself as the most dangerous offensive weapon in the Big Ten. Those numbers weren’t padded against soft competition either—Smith dominated against top-tier defenses and made his biggest plays in the biggest moments. His hands were reliable, his route-running advanced beyond his years, and his ability to create separation made life easier for Ohio State’s offense. He was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, earned All-American honors, and became a centerpiece of the Buckeyes’ championship push.
Even more than the numbers, it was Smith’s presence that altered the game. Defenses had to adjust their entire schemes to account for him, often double-teaming or bracketing him with help over the top. Still, it rarely mattered. Smith thrived in contested situations, made acrobatic catches look routine, and showcased football IQ and chemistry with his quarterback that was rare for any player, let alone a true freshman.
Now, with the 2025 season on the horizon, all eyes are on what Smith can do for an encore. He enters his sophomore campaign as one of the most feared players in college football, a preseason All-American, and a legitimate Heisman candidate—something rarely said about wide receivers. Yet, amid all the excitement, Greg McElroy is pumping the brakes, raising a concern that could overshadow even Smith’s brilliance: the quarterback situation.
McElroy, never one to mince words, believes Ryan Day’s decision at quarterback could make or break Ohio State’s season before it even begins. And he has reason to be cautious. The Buckeyes, fresh off a national title run, are breaking in a new quarterback in 2025, and while the talent in the room is immense, the experience is not. Julian Sayin, a former five-star recruit who transferred from Alabama, is battling with Lincoln Kienholz and freshman Tavien St. Clair for the starting job. All three have promise, but none have meaningful starting experience.
That’s where McElroy’s concern lies. He acknowledges the talent. Sayin, in particular, has the pedigree and the arm talent to be special. But potential is one thing; execution under pressure is another. McElroy argues that no matter how good a receiver like Smith is, the quarterback still has to get him the football. Timing, chemistry, decision-making under pressure—those things only come with game reps. And right now, Ohio State doesn’t have a quarterback who has proven he can consistently deliver those elements in high-leverage moments.
The departure of veteran quarterback Will Howard, who led the Buckeyes to their title, leaves an undeniable void in leadership and consistency. Alongside him, key offensive pieces like TreVeyon Henderson, Quinshon Judkins, and Emeka Egbuka are also gone. That’s a lot of production to replace, and it puts even more pressure on Smith to carry the load offensively. But if the quarterback position falters, it doesn’t matter how good Smith is. He can’t throw the ball to himself.
McElroy’s caution is rooted in a simple truth about college football: inexperienced quarterbacks, no matter how talented, are prone to growing pains. And those growing pains can be costly, especially for a team like Ohio State that plays with national championship expectations every season. One or two early missteps from the quarterback position could derail a season before it finds its rhythm.
Smith, for his part, has taken a team-first approach. When asked about the quarterback battle, he’s been diplomatic, insisting that it doesn’t matter who starts because all three options are capable. That’s the kind of leadership you want from your star player, but it also underscores the uncertainty surrounding the most important position on the field. The fact that Smith hasn’t publicly backed a clear frontrunner may reflect a competition that remains unresolved heading into fall camp.
And that brings us to Ryan Day, who faces one of the most important decisions of his coaching career. Pick the right quarterback, and Ohio State’s offense could once again be among the most explosive in the country. Choose wrong—or wait too long to make a change—and the Buckeyes could find themselves playing catch-up in a loaded Big Ten. It’s a high-wire act with little margin for error.
Ohio State’s schedule doesn’t offer much breathing room either. A slow start, even against lesser opponents, could expose weaknesses and shake confidence. That’s especially risky with a new-look offense that’s still finding its identity. The quarterback must establish chemistry with Smith, learn to handle defensive pressure, and manage the offense with poise. And he’ll have to do it from day one.
Adding another layer to McElroy’s concern is the pressure that comes with following a national title. Expectations are sky-high. Anything short of another playoff appearance will feel like a letdown, and in today’s college football landscape, patience is in short supply. A couple of shaky performances at quarterback and the calls for change could start early and get loud fast. That kind of scrutiny can break a young quarterback, especially at a place like Ohio State.
McElroy’s perspective also extends beyond Columbus. He’s taken issue with the idea that the Big Ten boasts the best quarterback play in the country, pointing out that while the conference has several high-upside QBs, most are unproven. That includes not just Ohio State, but also teams like Michigan and Penn State, who are also breaking in new or still-developing quarterbacks. In McElroy’s eyes, that could create volatility in a conference race that’s otherwise top-heavy in talent.
So where does that leave Smith? In many ways, he’s both the solution and the symbol of the problem. He’s talented enough to carry a team, to dominate even when defenses know he’s the target. But he’s also reliant on the quarterback to unlock his full potential. If the Buckeyes get average play under center, Smith will still be good—but maybe not historic. If they get above-average to elite play? Smith could have a season for the ages.
This dynamic—star receiver with an uncertain quarterback—puts added pressure on the coaching staff to create a system that simplifies reads, emphasizes quick throws, and builds confidence early. That’s where offensive coordinator Chip Kelly comes in. Known for his quarterback-friendly schemes, Kelly will be tasked with molding a young signal-caller into a dependable game manager—or more. His ability to accelerate that development process will be critical.
Yet even the best systems can only do so much. At some point, the quarterback has to make the throws. He has to read the defense, keep drives alive, and deliver in crunch time. Smith can be the best wideout in the country, but if the ball doesn’t get to him on time and in the right spot, the entire offense suffers.
That’s the scenario McElroy is warning against. Not because he doubts Smith, or even the overall talent at Ohio State. In fact, he’s bullish on both. But because college football history is littered with talented teams that fell short due to uncertainty or inconsistency at quarterback. And with Smith’s immense ability and the expectations surrounding him, it would be a missed opportunity of historic proportions if a quarterback decision undermines it.
Ultimately, this is what makes the 2025 Ohio State season so fascinating. On one hand, the Buckeyes return perhaps the most electrifying player in the sport. On the other, they’re walking into the unknown at the most important position on the field. That’s a recipe for greatness—or for frustration. It all depends on who takes the reins and whether they’re ready for the spotlight that comes with it.
If Ryan Day gets it right, Jeremiah Smith could redefine what a sophomore season looks like for a wide receiver. He could break records, carry the offense, and lead the Buckeyes back to the promised land. If the quarterback situation falters, even slightly, it could stall the momentum, force Smith to do too much, and leave Ohio State wondering what could’ve been.
Greg McElroy’s warning may not be the loudest voice in the room, but it’s one worth listening to. Because when expectations are this high, the smallest crack in the foundation can bring the whole structure down. Ohio State has the talent. They have the star. What they need now is a quarterback to rise to the moment—or risk seeing a generational talent’s season fall short of its true potential.
