Jeremiah Smith has never been one to back down from the spotlight. As one of the most heralded wide receiver recruits in recent memory, Smith has already shown the swagger, work ethic, and talent of a future superstar. But this week, he elevated his voice beyond just route-running and highlight-reel catches. With confidence and clarity, Smith sent a direct message to the Texas Longhorns—a warning that reverberated throughout college football: the Buckeyes are not just ready, they are coming for domination.
Smith’s words came during a media session that was supposed to be standard pre-season fare, but it quickly turned into headline-grabbing fuel for one of the most anticipated non-conference matchups of the upcoming season. When asked about the looming game against Texas, Smith didn’t hold back. “We don’t fear Texas,” he said. “They’ve been talking, but they haven’t played us yet. We’re built different at Ohio State. They’re going to find that out the hard way.”
For any casual fan, that might sound like the usual offseason bravado. But for those who have followed Smith’s journey—from South Florida prep stardom to becoming one of Ohio State’s most electric young players—it’s not just talk. It’s a challenge backed by substance. A competitor’s manifesto. The kind of declaration that turns regular season games into emotional wars and elevates college football into an arena of personal pride and institutional legacy.
The significance of his comments is compounded by the stage that awaits both programs. Ohio State and Texas are two of the most iconic brands in college football history, and the energy around their upcoming battle has been steadily building. Texas, riding high after a College Football Playoff appearance, enters 2025 with renewed swagger and national expectations. Quarterback Arch Manning is leading a talented offense under Steve Sarkisian’s creative command, and the defense has been reinforced with elite transfer talent and a dominant front seven. They believe they’re built for this moment.
Ohio State, however, isn’t buying the hype. The Buckeyes, under head coach Ryan Day, are coming off a season where they fell short of a national title but showed flashes of undeniable brilliance. The defense, once criticized for being soft in big moments, has toughened up under Jim Knowles. The offensive line has improved in both discipline and physicality. But the centerpiece of the Buckeye resurgence could very well be its lethal arsenal of pass catchers—and none shines brighter than Jeremiah Smith.
Even as a freshman, Smith is already being talked about like a future Biletnikoff Award winner. At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, with the speed of a track star and the hands of a seasoned veteran, Smith has the makeup of a Sunday player on Saturdays. What makes him special, though, is his competitive fire. It’s the same edge that has pushed Ohio State receivers like Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Marvin Harrison Jr. into the NFL spotlight. Now, Smith seems determined to plant his flag not just among that elite group but to surpass them.
“I didn’t come here to be average,” Smith told reporters. “I came here to win national championships. I came here to dominate every DB that lines up in front of me. If Texas thinks they’re going to come into that game and make a statement—they’re wrong. We’re going to be the ones making the statement.”
Those words have already caused a stir across social media, with Texas fans firing back, pundits debating the wisdom of his comments, and Buckeye Nation rallying around their young star. But for Smith, this isn’t about viral moments. It’s about setting a tone. In his view, being a Buckeye means never backing down, especially when the stakes are high. And in 2025, with the expanded College Football Playoff looming, every statement game matters even more.
Texas has been waiting for this moment of resurgence. The Longhorns have often been the butt of jokes in recent years, labeled as a “sleeping giant” that always hits the snooze button. But under Sarkisian, they’ve finally found consistency, and Arch Manning’s development has added a new layer of legitimacy. Their offensive line is physical, their receivers are fast, and their running backs—led by Jaydon Blue and freshman phenom Zayvion Johnson—can break games open. Texas has speed, size, and momentum. But what they don’t have is Ohio State’s chip on the shoulder.
For the Buckeyes, the last two seasons have ended in bitter disappointment. Michigan, their archrival, has had their number. Playoff hopes have faded in heartbreak. And that national title drought is starting to gnaw at the pride of a program used to being in the championship conversation. Smith, though new to the rivalry, understands the stakes. His comments to Texas weren’t just about the Longhorns—they were about the standard.
“When you wear this helmet,” he said, holding up the classic scarlet helmet with the silver stripe and Buckeye leaves, “you’re expected to be elite. Not just good. Not just fast. Elite. I’m not here to be friendly. I’m here to win. And Texas is in the way.”
Ohio State players and coaches have downplayed the trash talk angle, insisting that Smith’s comments come from a place of confidence rather than arrogance. But make no mistake—inside that Woody Hayes Athletic Center, the matchup with Texas has been circled. It’s more than just a game; it’s a tone-setter. And with ESPN College GameDay and FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff both expected to be on-site, the stage will be nothing short of gladiatorial.
If Smith’s play lives up to his words, Texas may have a long afternoon trying to contain him. He’s been burning Ohio State’s elite defensive backs all summer in camp. Cam Martinez called him “uncoverable.” Denzel Burke said Smith has “the best hands I’ve ever seen from a freshman.” And head coach Ryan Day hasn’t hesitated to let him run with the first team, often designing plays specifically to feature his skill set. Jet sweeps, bubble screens, deep posts—Smith can do it all.
For Texas, this challenge means they’ll likely have to game plan with safety help over the top. Expect them to bracket Smith, jam him at the line, and rotate coverage to keep the ball out of his hands. But the problem with that approach? Ohio State’s offense is loaded. Julian Fleming and Carnell Tate are legitimate threats. Tight end Jelani Thurman is a matchup nightmare. Running back TreVeyon Henderson can flip a game with one cut. And Kyle McCord, now in full command of the offense, is reading defenses with poise and precision.
The bigger question may not be whether Smith backs up his talk—it’s whether Texas can withstand the avalanche Ohio State is preparing to unleash. One thing is certain: the words spoken this week will follow both teams into the tunnel on game day. They’ll be bulletin board material in Austin. They’ll be a rallying cry in Columbus.
Smith, for his part, is fine with that.
“I want their best,” he said. “If they think they’ve got something to prove, then prove it. But don’t think we’re coming soft. This isn’t a warm-up game. This is war. And I’m ready for it.”
So are we. In a college football season already filled with intrigue, this might be the game that defines early playoff narratives. Star power, tradition, high stakes—and now, some verbal fireworks to light the fuse.
Thanks to Jeremiah Smith, the countdown to Ohio State vs. Texas just got a whole lot more personal.
