As the Ohio State Buckeyes ramp up their preparations for the upcoming season, the spotlight is firmly on their efforts to fortify their defense and on receiver Jeremiah Smith's personal vendetta against Texas. The Buckeyes are undergoing a transformation on defense following the departure of several key starters to the NFL. New defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is at the helm, aiming to replenish the ranks with fresh talent ready to step up.
In a practice update provided by FOX28, Patricia praised the team's quick assimilation of new strategies, "Our guys are really doing a great job with the installations. We're going pretty quick. So they're coming in and they're pretty large, but I think our guys are handling that information on the field." Importantly, the line coach Larry Johnson is credited with steering the defensive tackles in the right direction.
Offensive coordinator Brian Hartline is focusing on the quarterback competition as FOX28 reported with him looking for consistency from contenders Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz. Meanwhile, Smith's drive for improvement and redemption is seen as a catalyst for the Buckeyes' offense. "I'm definitely hyped about this one, especially how, ya know, things went last year," Smith recounted his anticipation for the Texas matchup.
Smith's progress is not going unnoticed by his peers. Wide receiver Brandon Inniss noted in statements obtained by FOX28, "He's going to get a lot of attention, but if we all do our job, we're all going to eat. He's JJ, he's going to do what he do regardless if he's double-teamed, triple-teamed". Hartline emphasized the need for Smith to push his capabilities, according to Eleven Warriors, "You can’t put him on a pedestal. He does not want that. So, him being held accountable, you know, there have been opportunities (for him) to maybe finish more without the ball in his hands, turn up the field. I identify it; he applies it."
Even with the increased attention and pressure, Smith is leaning into the heightened expectations and bringing a palpable confidence to the field. As the Buckeyes gear up for their season opener against Texas, eyes will be watching to see whether Patricia's defense and Smith's revamped game can lead to a successful start to their 2025 campaign.
