As Jeremiah Smith's legend is already being born through the first half of his freshman season, his virtual stock is on a steep rise.
EA Sports College Football 25 released a new player ratings update and Smith jumped from 85 to 90 overall in the game. He is one of 10 Buckeyes who saw a climb in their ratings with the latest adjustment. Left tackle Josh Simmons, confirmed this week to be out for the season with a knee injury, equaled Smith's upward ascent with an overall boost from 85 to 90. Simmons started the season rated at just 83.
Ohio State's quarterback play is now also viewed more favorably by the folks at Electronic Arts, with Will Howard jumping from an 85 to an 86 overall. Defensive tackle Ty Hamilton and running back James Peoples were the only Buckeyes outside of Smith and Simmons to receive a ratings boost of multiple points, with Hamilton going from 82 to 84 overall and Peoples leaping from 75 to 77. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, left guard Donovan Jackson, defensive end Jack Sawyer, cornerback Davison Igbinosun and safety Lathan Ransom each jumped by one rating point.
Fourteen Buckeyes received a ratings decrease, the most notable being the right side of Ohio State's offensive line – despite the team's improved play up front from a year ago – as right guard Tegra Tshabola went from 82 to 80 overall and right tackle Josh Fryar slipped from 85 to 83. Cornerback Denzel Burke went from 91 to 90 after a career-worst performance at Oregon while wide receivers Kojo Antwi (77 to 72) and Brandon Inniss (82 to 78) took the biggest hits of any player.
Walk-on wide receiver David Adolph and walk-on linebacker Joey Velazquez were also added to the game for Ohio State. Defensive end JT Tuimoloau is still the most notable absence from the Buckeyes' roster, joining offensive tackle Miles Walker and defensive tackle Will Smith Jr. as the only players not in the game.
"There's a lot of things that went into it," Tuimoloau said of his decision not to be included. "For me, I think I was just so focused on football, but I think any further questions probably just ask my pops and ask my family. It was a family decision."
A complete list of the risers and fallers on Ohio State's roster in the latest update:
Ratings Up
- WR Emeka Egbuka: 92 to 93 OVR
- DE Jack Sawyer: 92 to 93 OVR
- LG Donovan Jackson: 91 to 92 OVR
- WR Jeremiah Smith: 85 to 90 OVR
- LT Josh Simmons: 85 to 90 OVR
- CB Davison Igbinosun: 88 to 89 OVR
- QB Will Howard: 85 to 86 OVR
- SS Lathan Ransom: 85 to 86 OVR
- DT Ty Hamilton: 82 to 84 OVR
- RB James Peoples: 75 to 77 OVR
Ratings Down
- CB Denzel Burke: 91 to 90 OVR
- RT Josh Fryar: 85 to 83 OVR
- LB C.J. Hicks: 85 to 83 OVR
- RG Tegra Tshabola: 82 to 80 OVR
- QB Julian Sayin: 80 to 79 OVR
- WR Brandon Inniss: 82 to 78 OVR
- WR Mylan Graham: 80 to 78 OVR
- WR Jayden Ballard: 79 to 78 OVR
- DT Hero Kanu: 79 to 78 OVR
- DT Tywone Malone: 79 to 78 OVR
- DT Jason Moore: 78 to 77 OVR
- WR Bryson Rodgers: 75 to 73 OVR
- WR Kojo Antwi: 77 to 72 OVR
- DT Eric Mensah: 69 to 68 OVR
