Ohio State’s Ryan Day revealed a detail about Jeremiah Smith that could take him to an even higher level of play

Ohio State is now 4-0 on the season following a 38-7 handling of Michigan State on the road on Saturday. It was the first Big Ten game of the season for either side.

The Buckeyes put up nearly 500 yards of offense and did what they wanted on that side of the ball. Specifically, quarterback Will Howard led a passing game that had 298 yards through the air. A common target was freshman Jeremiah Smith, as has been this season so far.

Smith caught five passes for 83 yards and had a receiving/rushing touchdown each in the win over the Spartans. It was just another day at the office for the freshman, who has made this look like the normal through four games . The touchdown catch specifically was one-handed and spectacular by Smith.

“Devin (Brown) stepped up in a big way, but what an unbelievable catch. I couldn't believe he caught it,” head coach Ryan Day said after the game.

As always, Day faced plenty of questions about his star freshman after the game. The thing that stood out most and that is potentially scary for opposing defenses, is that Smith is coming out of his shell more.

“He does it every day in practice. He just doesn't say a word, but works his tail off,” Day explained. “His discipline, his humility, he loves being a Buckeye. You can tell just with the way he works with his teammates. He's coming out of his shell a little bit too, which is great to see. But, I mean the talent speaks for itself. I just am impressed with the discipline and the hard work and being able to step in at such a young age. The only way you do that is if you go and put the work in. He came in with that work ethic. (Wide receivers coach Brian Hartline’s) certainly took it from there, but this is a special young man.”

We watched Smith get a bit chippy a couple of times with a Michigan State defender. That is the first but we’ve really seen him out of his shell and it is a welcomed sign. Smith is not your typical freshman and he certainly does not play like one.

Now on the season, the talented Smith has 19 catches, 364 yards, and six touchdowns to his credit. He is undoubtedly well on his way to shattering virtually every freshman receiving record in Columbus and he isn’t going to have much trouble doing it.

Related: Buckeyes’ Jeremiah Smith’s latest act against Michigan State should have the NFL questioning themselves