Jeremiah Smith Says Ohio State Freshman WR Brock Boyd Reminds Him of Himself

Jeremiah Smith and Brock Boyd could not have been more different as high school recruits. Smith arrived at Ohio State as the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2024 class a 6-foot-3, 223-pound prototype wide receiver built like he came out of a lab. Boyd, a 6-foot-1, 184-pound three-star from Southlake Carroll in Texas, checked in as the No. 731 overall prospect in the 2026 class.

Yet their first springs in Columbus looked remarkably similar.

Jeremiah Smith Sees Himself in Freshman Brock Boyd During Ohio State Spring Practices

At Big Ten Media Days on Wednesday, Smith reflected on watching Boyd through his first 15 practices this spring. The junior superstar was impressed by what he saw from the Texas product.

“Brock surprised me a lot,” Smith said. “Especially this spring, he was out there just making plays, diving for the ball, two defenders on him, doing a lot of crazy stuff. It reminded me of myself when I first got here in the spring, just out there making plays and having fun. So he’s going to play a lot this year.”

That endorsement carries significant weight. Smith is widely regarded as one of the best receivers in college football after two dominant seasons that produced more than 2,500 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns. When the Buckeyes’ best player compares a true freshman to his own early self, it signals real opportunity.

Brock Boyd’s Unlikely Path to Ohio State Wide Receiver Rotation in 2026

Boyd was not the highly touted five-star many expected to generate spring buzz. He flipped his commitment from TCU to Ohio State and ranked far down the national charts. Yet he quickly turned heads in Columbus.

• He became just the third-fastest true freshman to lose his black stripe in the spring since the tradition began under Urban Meyer, trailing only Smith and Carnell Tate.
• Coaches and teammates noted his route-running precision, ability to separate, and sharp football IQ.
• Sources indicated he can already operate at all three receiver positions.

Boyd’s high school production at Southlake Carroll was elite. As a junior he caught 111 passes for 1,868 yards and 19 touchdowns. As a senior he broke the school’s all-time receiving yards record that had stood for two decades.

Why Brock Boyd Could See Significant Playing Time for the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2026

Ohio State’s wide receiver room beyond Smith lacks extensive proven production. That opens the door for freshmen who prove they belong. Boyd’s combination of toughness, separation ability, and competitive fire the same traits Smith displayed as a freshman — has the Buckeyes talking about meaningful snaps this fall.

Quarterback Julian Sayin has also praised Boyd’s reliability and footwork. The consensus around the program is that both Boyd and fellow freshman Chris Henry Jr. will contribute in 2026, but Boyd’s spring emergence was the bigger surprise.

What Jeremiah Smith’s Endorsement Means for Ohio State Football Fans

Smith’s comments at Big Ten Media Days are more than polite praise. They reflect a player who recognizes the same fearless, play-making mentality that helped launch his own career. Boyd may not look like the traditional Ohio State wideout prototype, but the tape and the eye test from the program’s best player say the same thing: this freshman is ready to compete.

As fall camp approaches, keep a close eye on No. 11. If Brock Boyd continues to make the kind of plays that reminded Jeremiah Smith of himself, Ohio State fans could be looking at another unexpected contributor in a loaded Buckeyes offense.

The recruiting rankings said one thing. Spring practices and Jeremiah Smith’s words are saying something very different.