COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State football has become a factory for high-end receivers going into the NFL, and former coach Urban Meyer has taken notice.
As he prepares to be on the set of Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff prior to Ohio State’s matchup with Marshall on Saturday, Meyer said he believes that trend will continue with freshman Jeremiah Smith and senior Emeka Egbuka.
“The combination of having elite wide receivers, two potential first round draft picks, and running the spread option — that’s a nightmare for a defense,” Meyer said. “There’s no way to double guys like Emeka or Jeremiah.”
Smith is at the core of hype surrounding Ohio State this year. He was signed as the top prospect in the 2024 high school class.
Through two games, he’s looked the part with 11 catches for 211 yards and three scores.
“He’s ready to play on Sundays right now,” former Alabama running back Mark Ingram said during Friday’s rehearsal for Big Noon Kickoff.
“He looks to be like an NFL football player,” Meyer later added. “I’ve talked to coach (Brian) Hartline and coach (Ryan) Day. He looks everything to be. We’ll find out in the next few weeks when he gets lined up against Big Ten teams, but he looks unbelievable.”
Hartline started coaching receivers at Ohio State in 2018. Since then, seven OSU receivers have been drafted. That includes four in the first round across the last three years.
“His value is immense to Ohio State,” Meyer said.
To Meyer, Hartline’s work is more than impressive.
“Brian Hartline is arguably the best recruiter in recent modern history,” Meyer said Friday. “Look what he’s done.”
