Jeremiah Smith’s Ohio State debut is off and running in Week 1. The 5-star prospect and No. 1 player from the 2024 recruiting class has big-time expectations, and he’s already delivering for the Buckeyes.

It wasn’t entirely smooth out of the gate for Smith or the Buckeyes. The first drive went 3-and-out, including a drop by Smith on a pass that hit him squarely in the hands that would have moved the chains.

Fortunately, Smith shook that off quickly. He delivered 3 crucial catches on the ensuing drive, each one coming on a 3rd-down attempt for Ohio State. Smith’s first 2 catches gave Ohio State a first down while the 3rd went for a touchdown, his first as a Buckeye.

Smith ended the first quarter as the team’s leading receiver with 3 catches for 35 yards and the touchdown. It’s the kind of fast start you want from a highly touted freshman, and former quarterback and current FOX analyst Matt Leinart has seen enough.

Leinart has seen enough to declare Smith worthy of being a top 10 NFL Draft pick already. It’s still incredibly early, but Smith is beginning to put his generational talents on display in Columbus.

Marvin Harrison Jr. is also watching the season opener, and he shared his reaction to Smith’s dynamic start:

With a younger than usual wide receiver room this fall, Ryan Day and the offense will need Smith to establish his ability as a go-to target early in the season. As for the future, Smith is looking to join the list of Ohio State all-time first-round NFL Draft picks.