Ohio State freshman and former No. 1 recruit Jeremiah Smith landed in the national championship game

COLUMBUS, Ohio — When Ohio State faced Texas in the Cotton Bowl, Jeremiah Smith was expected to shine.

After all, he piled up 290 yards receiving in two postseason wins and looked like a star to match the rest of the College Football Playoff field. Instead, the Longhorns doubled him and limited him to one catch for three yards as Ohio State advanced to the national championship game against Notre Dame with a 28-14 victory.

The 6-foot-3 freshman is a big reason the Buckeyes are here. Many younger players may have found it difficult to stay engaged in a game where his influence was limited. But Smith, 19, knew Texas’ focus on his game would help the offense continue.

“It’s frustrating, but that’s part of being a teammate,” Smith said. “You have to open things up.”

Smith, the No. 1 player in the 2024 recruiting class, amassed 1,227 yards and 14 touchdowns in his first season, breaking Cris Carter’s freshman records for receiving yards, receptions and touchdowns as he was named a second-team AP All-American.

Texas’ comprehensive coverage of Smith is a big reason why wide receiver Carnell Tate finished with a career-high seven catches for a team-high 87 yards and tight end Emeka Egbuka hauled in five for 51 yards.

“I know they’re always going to do their part whether I’m double-teamed or not, I know they’re always going to be open and get the job done,” Smith said.

Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore and the Fighting Irish defense are preparing for Smith. Moore said he has to trust his technique and training to compete with Smith.

“He’s definitely an elite receiver, for sure,” Moore said. “He’s big, he’s physical, he’s good at attacking the ball in the air. So we have to be just as good and better attacking the ball this week, so be ready to challenge him.”

Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly said Ohio State’s win against Texas reflected the team’s game plan — to have multiple players who can perform on any given night.

“The beauty of what we have here is that we have more than one weapon,” Kelly said. “A quarterback has to make really good decisions about what he’s trying to take away and then adjust accordingly and I think Will (Howard) did that really well.”

Coaches and players alike know that Smith’s value on the court cannot be measured. Smith is also insuring himself and his future by purchasing permanent total disability insurance, the report said. Smith’s premiums, according to the report, cost between $7,500 and $8,000 per million in coverage, protecting against a career-ending injury until Aug. 1, 2027, or when he signs an NFL contract.

Smith, who is from Miami Gardens, Florida, said playing in the national championship game has been on his mind since he was little.

“I didn’t intend for it to be my freshman year of college to be able to play for a state championship,” he said. “But being my first year is definitely a blessing and I’m not going to take that for granted.”