Ryan Day confirms Ohio State will be deploying Jeremiah Smith in a way that is a big risk, but comes with a huge reward potentially

There hadn’t been much talk of Smith returning punts during fall camp, so Day is right about the team keeping it under wraps. At 6-foot-3 and 223 pounds, Smith has game-breaking ability anytime the ball is in his hands. Junior wideout Brandon Inniss is the other top return option for the Buckeyes.

Of course, there’s some risk in having Smith return punts, given the extra contact he’ll face on each attempt. But Ohio State hasn’t been shy about using its top athletes on special teams. Just last season, safety Caleb Downs took a punt back for a touchdown against Indiana.

Defenses already have their hands full preparing for Smith and the rest of Ohio State’s offensive weapons. Adding another layer of stress on special teams with Smith back deep isn’t a bad idea at all. It might not be necessary against opponents like Grambling State, but deeper into Big Ten play, it could be a difference-maker.

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