Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith earns unprecedented honor for a freshman

There has been a ton of hype around Ohio State freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, and so far, so good for the Buckeyes.

The former No. 1 overall recruit in the 2024 class, Smith has come into Columbus with extremely high expectations surrounding him. He still has to go out and prove that he belongs at the college level on the field, but he's earned an honor in fall camp that has put him in rare territory.

In fact, it's unprecedent territory.

Smith was one of 10 players who won the "Iron Buckeye" award in fall camp. It's a strength and conditioning award given out by strength coach Mickey Marotti that recognizes "unquestionable training, dedication, determination, discipline, toughness and leadership," per On3's Nick Schultz .

It's an honor never been awarded to a freshman before, but now Smith is the first.

The other players who won the award were TreVeyon Henderson, Emeka Egbuka, Josh Fryar, Donovan Jackson, Lathan Ransom, Ty Hamilton, Sonny Styles, Carson Hinzman and Cody Simon — all players who have been Buckeyes for two or more years.

At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, Smith projects to be a star right away for Ohio State. He caught 88 passes for 1,376 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior in high school.