It's hard to argue that Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is one of, if not the best player in college football.
Smith looked like he could have been playing in the NFL when he was a true freshman. The dude is just different, and he should easily be a top-five selection in the 2027 NFL draft.
However, in a recent article by Bruce Feldman of The Athletic, there are quotes attributed to some anonymous coaches, including one "Big Ten running backs coach" who had this to say about the Ohio State star wideout.
"Play Cover 2 over him, and you can take him out of the game. I think he's closer to DJ Metcalf than Jaxon Smith-Njigba."
Say it with your chest, traitor @CoachTonyAlford pic.twitter.com/RpFfSRydHT
— Buckeye HQ (@RealisticBuck) September 3, 2026
Ohio State fans freak out over Jeremiah Smith comments they believe came from Tony Alford
Of course, Ohio State fans assume that the running backs coach is none other than Tony Alford, who left the Buckeyes' coaching staff to join Michigan football before the 2024 season.
The comment certainly got under the skin of Ohio State fans. Smith is widely viewed as the best player in college football, regardless of position. He might not be the No. 1 overall pick, because receivers usually don't get selected that high, but he will be a top-five selection nonetheless.
If Alford did make those comments, they aren't completely off base. In two games against Michigan football, Smith hasn't made a huge impact with just six receptions for 75 yards. He did score a touchdown in "The Game" in 2024 and 2025, although there was a push-off not called in 2024, and it appeared that Smith fumbled the ball out of the end zone last season.
Still, an average of 37.5 yards per game isn't up to the standard of Smith, who has averaged 88.2 yards per game thoughout his career with 2,558 yards in two seasons.
While Smith's talent can't be denied, Michigan's solid defense can't be denied either. In the 2024 loss to Michigan, Smith's disappearance in the second half, being held without a catch, was one of the reasons the Wolverines were able to pull off the shocking upset.
Even last season, Smith wasn't the reason Michigan lost the game. The offense and its inability to score was a much bigger issue. Maybe Smith will finally have a breakout performance against Michigan, but so far, he's 1-1 against the Wolverines with 37.5 receiving yards per game.
So even if the comments rub Ohio State fans the wrong way, maybe it's the grain of truth embedded that really gets under their skin.
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