Ohio State just added even more fuel to the Jeremiah Smith hype train.
In a rare honor for a true freshman, Smith was one of 10 Ohio State players to be named an “Iron Buckeye” on Wednesday as a top performer during the Buckeyes’ offseason workouts.
According to Ohio State quarterback Devin Brown, the team was told Smith is the first-ever true freshman to earn that honor.
“He just handles everything like a pro,” Brown said Tuesday. “For only being a freshman, how gifted he is, how strong he is, no matter what anybody says about all this hype and all the talent he has, the dude works hard. Works really, really hard. He's an Iron Buckeye. That's never happened as a freshman. The first true freshman to ever do that. So that's just a testament to who he is as a person and who he is as a player.”
Each of the other nine Iron Buckeyes for the 2024 offseason are in at least their third year in the program, and all of them are in the mix to be starters this season: Running back TreVeyon Henderson, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, offensive linemen Josh Fryar, Donovan Jackson and Carson Hinzman, defensive tackle Ty Hamilton, linebackers Cody Simon and Sonny Styles and safety Lathan Ransom.
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 7, 2024
Mickey Marotti explained why each of those 10 Buckeyes earned Iron Buckeye honors in an Ohio State news release.
- Egbuka: “Emeka has a prevailing presence that drives those around him to surpass expectations and get better every day.”
- Fryar: “Josh brought high energy and solid development as a leader. He uplifted those around him daily.”
- Hamilton: “Ty is a man of grit who consistently gives his all for his teammates.”
- Henderson: “TreVeyon’s development was unmatched. He challenged those around him to develop and grow together and he provided great spirit every day.”
- Hinzman: “Carson is hard working and made numerous physical advancements while enhancing performance of those around him.”
- Jackson: “Donovan has a contagious voice among his teammates that aided in inspiring those around him to perform at elite levels. He made great gains to an already impressive resume of strength and speed measurables.”
- Ransom: “Lathan has great vigor and a liveliness that provides an edge for his teammates to uplift one another. He’s a great leader.”
- Simon: “Cody is a consistent and consummate leader for the team. He knows and executes all details while holding others accountable around him.”
- Smith: “Jeremiah showed substantial growth in numerous areas and elevated those around him.”
- Styles: “Sonny is a great competitor who strives every day to become better. He made substantial gains in strength, speed, power this summer.”
Fryar and Styles were both named Iron Buckeyes for the second time this offseason after previously earning the honor alongside cornerback Davison Igbinosun following winter workouts.
Ohio State describes the Iron Buckeye Award as honoring players who exhibit “unquestionable training, dedication, determination, discipline, toughness and leadership” during offseason workouts.
The 10 Iron Buckeyes are the most Marotti and his strength and conditioning staff have ever named in one year. Eight Ohio State players earned the honor last year; Egbuka, Hamilton, Ransom and Simon are all Iron Buckeyes for the second year in a row.
