Confirmed : Ohio State Buckeyes Are Bringing Him Back
**Jeremiah Smith**, the electrifying freshman wide receiver, is officially returning to Columbus for the 2025 season—and the Buckeye Nation could not be more excited. Here’s everything you need to know:
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### 🎯 Who is he and why it matters
* Smith broke onto the national scene in 2024, smashing the FBS freshman record for receiving yards and touchdowns and playing a pivotal role in Ohio State’s national championship run—earning Rose Bowl MVP honors and a first‑team All‑American selection ([SI][1], [Wikipedia][2]).
* At just 19, he’s already one of the most decorated players in college football history, and his return immediately boosts OSU’s offensive outlook ([Wikipedia][2], [Scarlet and Game][3], [AP News][4]).
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### 🎥 Video Highlight
[Two Ohio State Stars Confirm Return, Third Buckeye Transferring Out – Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate are back!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1qgjOYf5tI&utm_source=chatgpt.com)
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### 🔍 What this means for 2025
* With star receiver Emeka Egbuka, QB Will Howard, and top running backs all moving on to the NFL, Ohio State’s offense needed a playmaker. Smith is that guy—bringing explosive burst, insane catchmaking, and attracting heavy defensive attention. ([Eleven Warriors][5])
* He’ll lead a relatively young receiver corps (including Carnell Tate and Quincy Porter) and help mentor a new quarterback—most likely five‑star recruit Julian Sayin or transfer Eli Brickhandler ([Eleven Warriors][5]).
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### 🏆 Buckeyes’ chances with Smith back
* After fielding one of the strongest NFL draft classes ever (14 players selected), Ohio State brought back just seven starters from 2024. Among them: Smith, Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles, and Davison Igbinosun ([Land-Grant Holy Land][6]).
* His return provides continuity and top‑tier playmaking at a position where production was lost, reaffirming OSU’s status as a top‑3 Big Ten and national contender before the fall season even begins ([SBNation.com][7], [Scarlet and Game][3], [Wikipedia][8]).
* Beyond Smith, Ohio State added key transfers—tight end Max Klare, running back CJ Donaldson, edge Beau Atkinson—while promoting young standouts like James Peoples and Quincy Porter ([Eleven Warriors][5]).
* On defense, returning stars like Caleb Downs and Sonny Styles, along with savvy coaching changes, keep OSU primed for another playoff run ([Scarlet and Game][3]).
This isn’t just about a single season—Jeremiah Smith’s decision to return cements the Buckeyes’ commitment to winning now and building for the future. When he and fellow sophomore Carnell Tate line up with a new quarterback, wide receiver room, and revamped offensive staff, the stage will once again be set for a title chase in 2025.
* [SBNation.com](https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2025/6/5/24443450/big-ten-football-preseason-rankings-oregon-penn-state-michigan-osu-buckeyes?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
* [AP News](https://apnews.com/article/30e2150661c0811c63d9cce503cd45ac?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
* [The Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/college-football/impactful-college-football-transfers-to-watch-for-playoff-contenders-in-2025/articleshow/121938943.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
[1]: https://www.si.com/college/ohiostate/news/ohio-state-buckeyes-2025-x-factor-suggested-surprising-player?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Ohio State Buckeyes’ 2025 X-Factor Suggested in Surprising Player”
[2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremiah_Smith_%28American_football%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Jeremiah Smith (American football)”
[3]: https://scarletandgame.com/top-five-ohio-state-football-players-returning-in-2025?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Top five Ohio State football players returning in 2025”
[4]: https://apnews.com/article/30e2150661c0811c63d9cce503cd45ac?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Ohio State celebrates national championship run amid change and farewells”
[5]: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2025/03/154222/2025-ohio-state-depth-chart-projection-pre-spring?utm_source=chatgpt.com “2025 Ohio State Depth Chart Projection, Pre-Spring | Eleven Warriors”
[6]: https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2025/6/5/24441310/player-s-to-watch-ohio-states-seven-returning-starters-chasing-rare-repeat-buckeyes-footbal-2025?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Player(s) to Watch: Ohio State’s seven returning starters chasing …”
[7]: https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2025/6/5/24443450/big-ten-football-preseason-rankings-oregon-penn-state-michigan-osu-buckeyes?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Big Ten football preseason 2025 rankings from Oregon to Purdue”
[8]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Ohio_State_Buckeyes_football_team?utm_source=chatgpt.com “2025 Ohio State Buckeyes football team”
