Ryan Day is happy Jeremiah Smith is on his team. Though just a freshman, Ohio State’s prized prospect from the 2024 recruiting class left an immediate impact in the season opener.

By the time Smith and the rest of the starters were pulled, he finished his Buckeye debut with 6 catches for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns. It’s a particularly impressive debut for a true freshman, but one that was not without mistakes.

For instance, Smith dropped his very first target, one that hit him squarely in the hands before rebounding moving forward. He also missed a blocking assignment on one play that was blown up, but Day said after the game he is not sweating the mistakes.

The head coach said Ohio State will “play through” almost every mistake Smith makes while learning to adjust to the collegiate level. It’s ultimately a small reminder that Smith is Human, but Day also characterized Smith as being “built different.”

Smith was Ohio State’s leading receiver in the season opener, and it’s possible he becomes the go-to target in the passing game. He has all the physical tools to be a matchup nightmare, and he can get up and get the ball with the best of them.