Texas' Steve Sarkisian Previews Longhorns Matchup with WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State 'Weapons'

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, widely regarded as a future top-5 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, was held to just one reception for three yards against the Texas Longhorns in the 2025 CFP semifinals.

Last year, Smith had more success in the regular season meeting between both sides, bringing down a team-high six catches for 46 yards as the Buckeyes beat the Horns 14-7.

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But all in all, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian and his defensive staff have limited Smith's ability to be a game-changing threat. At least, the game-breaking ability he's shown throughout his career.

The Longhorns know what task lies ahead entering Week 2 of the 2026 season, with Smith and top-ranked Ohio State coming to Austin on Sep. 12.

Sarkisian said the challenge the Buckeyes present is Smith leading a crop of elite "weapons," which has made Ohio State a staple for churning out NFL-bound players at skill positions.

A week ago, you might have expected Ball State to have a feeling for what might be coming in the season opener in Columbus. The Cardinals, however, were simply no match. Smith hauled in eight receptions for 151 yards and two touchdowns.

"He’s arguably the best player in college football," Sarkisian said. "The challenge is, with him, it’s the size, speed, catch radius. He’s a big, physical guy who can cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. It doesn’t always look like it, but it almost feels like it. You can feel his presence on the field."

Texas isn't short on star power either, possessing a big, physical receiver of their own in Cam Coleman in addition to an NFL Draft prospect at quarterback in Arch Manning.

Regarding Smith, Sarkisian needed to paint a better comparison between the Buckeye junior and one of the game's greatest.

"When you just talk about body structure, this guy looks like Julio Jones. This guy looks like AJ Brown, like physically," Sarkisian said. "He can cover ground, and because he's so strong, 50-50 catches are very difficult with him. So you have to have a plan."

Texas defense was effective in its season-opener tune-up against Texas State. The Longhorns punished the Bobcats for three turnovers, two of which were forced by linebacker Rasheem Biles with a forced fumble and an interception.

Building another analogy, Sarkisian previewed the best method to putting pressure on Smith and limiting his explosiveness.

"I think like anything when you have a plan against somebody like him, you can’t just throw all fastballs," Sarkisian said. "As good as a fastball as you have, if that’s all you got, sooner or later you’re gonna hit it. We’re got to be able to mix our pitches up in how we defend him and how we defend the scheme because [offensive coordinator] Arthur [Smith] and head coach Ryan [Day] believe in running the ball. They’ve got a good runner and a good O-line, they’ve got other weapons.

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So, there's a lot to keep track of, but Texas knows that when the 6:30 p.m. kickoff comes on Saturday, their eyes will fall on No. 4.

"We’ve got to be diligent in our ability to throw different pitches and then be sound in the back end to make sure that we’re aware of No. 4 is. He garners that. Not every game do you go into it where you say, ‘Hey, we need to know where this guy is on every snap.’ We better know where No. 4 is on every snap."