Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith Sends Clear Message to Notre Dame Ahead of National Championship

 

 

Buckeye WR Smith: “Bring Your Best, I’m Bringing Mine”

Ohio State freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has a clear message for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish defense heading into Monday night’s College Football Playoff National Championship: “Be ready.”

Smith, a five-star recruit who has been a revelation this season, is eager to test himself against Notre Dame’s aggressive man-to-man coverage. After torching opposing defenses for 13 catches and 290 yards in the first two rounds of the playoffs, Smith was held in check by Texas’s zone-heavy scheme in the semifinal.

“They’re not going to change who they are,” Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore said earlier this week. “We’re going to play man coverage like we do every week. We’re going to go out there and challenge the receivers.”

Smith, who reposted Moore’s comments on social media, seems unfazed by the challenge. “My mindset is to go out there on Monday and just dominate the person in front of me,” he said. “Do what I’ve been doing for the last two or three weeks. They play man-on-man, so I’m just ready for the challenge.”

The Fighting Irish boast a formidable secondary, led by a talented group of cornerbacks including projected NFL Draft picks Xavier Watts and Christian Gray. However, Smith is confident in his ability to overcome any challenge.

“They have a great defense, no doubt about it,” Smith said. “But I’m ready for the competition. This is what I came to Ohio State for. To play in big games and make big plays.”

The stage is set for a thrilling matchup between one of the most talented young receivers in the country and a top-ranked defense.