Jeremiah Smith Gets ‘Fear of God’ Treatment From Steve Sarkisian in HOF Comparison

The Ohio State Buckeyes 2026 season has featured a wide receiver Jeremiah Smith who has been difficult for opposing defenses to contain. His performances have also become a major part of the team’s offense.

His performances have led to comparisons with an NFL legend, while Ohio State’s head coach has explained the coverage challenges he creates.

Ohio State WR continues to dominate defenses

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has produced at a high level through the first five games of the 2026 season. He has 44 receptions for 823 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, putting him in the Heisman Trophy race and among the top producers in the country.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has compared Smith to NFL legend Randy Moss. The comparison comes from Smith’s size, speed, strength and ability to quickly adjust to the football.

Sarkisian said, “You better know where he is because he can strike the fear of God in you on any snap.” The comment reflects the need for defenders to know where Smith is on every snap because he can make a major play at any time.

Smith also had a strong performance in Texas’ 24-23 win over Ohio State, finishing with eight receptions for 164 yards and one touchdown.

His recent games against Illinois and Iowa added to his production. Against Illinois, Smith caught 12 passes for 217 yards and four touchdowns. He followed that with 11 receptions for 206 yards and two touchdowns against Iowa. Across those two games, he totaled 23 receptions for 423 yards and six touchdowns.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has also explained how he views coverage against Smith. Day said, “If he’s single-covered, he’s open. If he’s double-covered, he’s sort of open. If he’s triple-covered, he’s covered… Somebody’s gotta be open somewhere else.” Day’s comment shows the impact Smith has on opposing coverages, often creating opportunities elsewhere in the offense.

Through five games, Smith has totaled 44 receptions for 823 yards and nine touchdowns. His production has remained a central part of Ohio State’s offense during the opening stretch of the season.

Ohio State prepares for Maryland

Ohio State will face Maryland on Saturday, October 10, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. The game will begin at 4:15 p.m. ET.

Julian Sayin will be one of Ohio State’s key players in the matchup. Against Iowa, he completed 20 of 27 passes for 324 yards and three touchdowns. Against Maryland, his role will include reading coverages and distributing the ball to available targets.

Ohio State also has several injury concerns before the game. Brandon Inniss and Devin McCuin are questionable and provide depth at receiver. Right tackle Phillip Daniels is also listed as questionable.

Khary Wilder, Braxton Rembert and Anthony Rogers are also questionable. Jay Timmons, who missed the Iowa game, has been cleared to play against Maryland. Leroy Roker III, however, is out for the game.

Before the Iowa game, Ohio State had played four games in the 2026 season. The Buckeyes opened with a 56-3 win over Ball State before losing 23-24 to Texas. They then beat Kent State 59-3 and Illinois 42-19. Those results gave Ohio State a 3-1 record before the Iowa matchup.

Sayin’s performance and the availability of several injured players will be key factors for Ohio State entering the matchup.

Ohio State enters the Maryland matchup with Smith continuing to lead the passing attack, while the status of several injured players remains worth monitoring.

More College Football News

• Caitlin Clark Gives College GameDay Fans in Iowa City a Day to Remember
• Ohio State Player Goes Viral With Epic Flop on Fair Catch vs. Iowa
• Fans Call Hawkeyes’ Emotional Tradition ‘Awesome’ After Full Stadium Waves to Hospital Kids
• Kirk Herbstreit Reveals Why Jeremiah Smith Reminds Him of Two NFL Legends

The post Jeremiah Smith Gets ‘Fear of God’ Treatment From Steve Sarkisian in HOF Comparison appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.