Grambling State coach Mickey Joseph has never been one to mince words when it comes to evaluating football talent, and his latest comments about Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith have sparked plenty of conversation across the college football world. Joseph, who has developed a reputation as a sharp eye for talent, offered perhaps one of the most glowing comparisons a young wideout could ever hope to receive. He likened Smith to former LSU star Ja’Marr Chase, who has gone on to become one of the NFL’s most dominant receivers with the Cincinnati Bengals, while also noting that Smith may even have an added dimension because of his length and reach. Those words carry weight not just because of Chase’s accomplishments, but because Joseph himself was instrumental in LSU’s wide receiver development during their 2019 national championship run, which featured Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Terrace Marshall Jr. For Joseph to connect Smith to that level of elite talent is a signal of just how special the Ohio State freshman could be in the years ahead.
Joseph’s statement comes at a moment when Ohio State is riding as high as it has in decades, having captured the national championship last season and now carrying expectations of defending their crown. In college football, winning one national title is hard enough, but repeating is nearly impossible. The grind of the schedule, the roster turnover, injuries, and the constant target on a champion’s back often derail even the strongest teams. Yet, Joseph, who has seen firsthand what championship-level talent and culture look like, believes the Buckeyes have what it takes to become the first back-to-back national champion of the expanded playoff era. When asked about what gives Ohio State that chance, he pointed not only to Smith’s arrival but also to the depth and balance across the roster, particularly in the trenches and the defensive secondary. In his view, the combination of elite receiver talent, consistent quarterback play, and a defense that has finally caught up to the offense makes this Ohio State team uniquely positioned to repeat.
Jeremiah Smith entered college as one of the most hyped recruits in recent memory. A five-star talent out of Florida, he was ranked as the number one wide receiver in the nation and immediately became the centerpiece of Ohio State’s 2024 recruiting class. Ohio State has long had a reputation as “Wide Receiver U” thanks to Brian Hartline’s relentless work on the recruiting trail and his development of stars like Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Marvin Harrison Jr. But even in a lineage that includes that kind of star power, Smith stands out as a prospect with almost limitless potential. At six-foot-three with track speed, elite route-running ability, and an already refined sense of body control, he gives off the aura of a generational talent. Joseph’s comparison to Chase is fitting because Chase, during his time at LSU, had a similar build and the ability to completely take over games with his blend of physicality and explosiveness.
What makes Smith especially intriguing, however, is what Joseph called his “length.” While Chase has the ability to dominate through precision routes and physical play, Smith’s wingspan and catch radius may give him an additional edge. With his longer frame, he can attack the ball at its highest point and win contested catches in ways even Chase didn’t often need to. This makes him not only a deep threat but also a nightmare in the red zone. Add in his ability to separate with quick breaks and deceptive speed, and you have a receiver who could very well follow in the footsteps of Ohio State greats who became first-round draft picks. For Joseph to point out that subtle difference—the “little longer” quality—shows he sees Smith as not just a comparison to Chase but potentially an evolution of that archetype.
The timing of Smith’s emergence also plays directly into Ohio State’s hopes of repeating as champions. Last year, the Buckeyes rode a ferocious defense and a steady offensive attack to claim the title, finally breaking through against a loaded SEC field and silencing critics who had said the program was slipping behind Alabama and Georgia. This year, though, the challenge becomes even steeper. Teams will be gunning for them every week, and the margin for error shrinks when expectations are national-championship-or-bust. That is where Joseph’s confidence in Smith and Ohio State as a whole becomes crucial. He sees Smith as the kind of player who can step in immediately and take pressure off the rest of the offense. When you have a receiver who commands double teams and safeties over the top, it opens up running lanes, creates favorable matchups for other receivers, and gives the quarterback more confidence to attack.
Joseph also knows that championship teams are never about one player, no matter how talented. He highlighted Ohio State’s ability to reload year after year, particularly under Ryan Day’s leadership. Day has faced his share of criticism for falling short in previous seasons, but winning a national championship last year silenced much of the noise. Now, the question is whether he can maintain that success and build a true dynasty. Joseph’s comments suggest he sees in Ohio State what he saw in LSU back in 2019: a program that has found the right blend of star power and depth, one that can withstand the loss of key veterans and still field a team capable of beating anyone in the country. In his eyes, Jeremiah Smith is a crown jewel, but he is part of a broader machine that is firing on all cylinders.
The defensive side of the ball may be just as important in Ohio State’s bid to repeat. Joseph pointed out that in order to win back-to-back championships, you can’t rely solely on offense. Even with Smith and the rest of Ohio State’s offensive arsenal, defense wins titles, especially in the playoff. Last season’s defense was the best Ohio State had fielded in nearly a decade, with a pass rush that disrupted quarterbacks and a secondary that limited big plays. That unit returns several key contributors, and Joseph believes that continuity, paired with an influx of young talent, is what makes the Buckeyes’ chances realistic. Unlike some champions who rely heavily on one senior-laden roster, Ohio State seems to have built a sustainable model.
When it comes to Jeremiah Smith, the real intrigue will be how quickly he can transition from high school phenom to college impact player. Many talented recruits arrive with hype but need time to adjust to the speed and physicality of the college game. However, early reports out of Ohio State’s camp suggest Smith has already been turning heads with his maturity and work ethic. Coaches and teammates rave about his practice habits, his willingness to learn, and his competitive spirit. If those qualities hold true, Smith could be the rare freshman who not only contributes right away but becomes a focal point of the offense. Joseph’s comparison to Chase is rooted not just in physical tools but also in the mindset required to dominate at the next level. Chase wasn’t just talented; he was relentless, and Joseph sees those same qualities in Smith.
It is also worth considering what Joseph’s words mean for the broader college football landscape. Comparisons to NFL stars create buzz, but they also create pressure. Smith will now enter every game with fans and opponents alike measuring him against Chase, against Harrison, against the standard of greatness. That can be a heavy burden for an 18-year-old. Yet Joseph’s belief in his ability to handle that spotlight says a lot about the respect he commands as an evaluator. He is not prone to hyperbole, and when he makes such bold statements, it tends to be based on careful observation.
The storyline of Ohio State potentially repeating as champions with a true freshman wide receiver playing a starring role is the kind of narrative that fuels college football’s drama. Fans love dynasties as much as they love to hate them, and the Buckeyes are poised to be the program everyone is talking about once again. If Smith does emerge as a Chase-like force, Ohio State could find itself not just repeating but cementing its place in history as one of the few teams to achieve sustained dominance in the playoff era.
Ultimately, Joseph’s comparison and his prediction about Ohio State boil down to one thing: belief. Belief in talent, belief in culture, and belief in the ability to do what few have ever done. Jeremiah Smith may be just beginning his college journey, but he already carries expectations that few players in the country can match. Ohio State may face the steep uphill climb of defending a title, but with Smith, an elite supporting cast, and a defense ready to stand tall, Joseph’s confidence might not be misplaced. For now, the football world will watch closely to see if Smith can live up to the billing and if the Buckeyes can turn belief into back-to-back championships.
