Arthur Smith & Offensive Players Spoke to Media After Today's Practice
3/24/2026 12:58:00 PM | Football
On what made him take the Ohio State Job:
“Several factors. Most importantly was the respect I had for Coach Day. He reached out, we had a good conversation and I came down here to spend some time with him. I also have had such a good experience with some of the players that have come through here that I’ve had the privilege of coaching.”
On being educated about the TTUN game:
“I know it means a lot to a lot of people. It’s obviously a huge game and I’m looking forward to being a part of it.”
On if you can give the ball to Jeremiah Smith too much:
“No. That’s like asking if you can give the ball too many times to Derrick Henry.”
What it means to be an Iron Buckeye
“It means everything to me. In the offseason that was my number one goal was to be an Iron Buckeye. I was solely focused on being an Iron Buckeye and being one of the hardest workers on the team. I was happy to be able to hit that goal.
Talking about the 51 new guys on the roster, and how that increases the responsibility that veterans have in the upcoming season.
“There are so many new guys that you have to set the standard. You have to show them the standard and then once they start getting it you have to start bringing the young guys along. The older guys start to get it (easier), like I know Earl got it kind of right away because Jalen was helping him a lot, then Terry started to get it and then started helping other guys.
What he is going to do to become a first-round pick in the draft
“I need to be more explosive and have all the production I can. When I have the ball in my hands, I have to catch everything and I have to create a lot of separation and be dominant on the perimeter.
Talking about his relationship with Coach Hank in high school and what resonated with him
“Honestly, just how real he was. He kept it real the whole time, even when I committed to Ohio State. He kept it real and told me good luck and that he looked forward to seeing me in the future. He did not take it to heart when I went to another place.
When asked about how motivated the offensive line is going into the offseason:
“I think you learn most from adversity. You know those were 2 pretty great teams (we faced) and obviously both were in the national championship. You learn a lot from it when you go against great players like that. That’s just going to help us in this upcoming season and obviously with that comes experience and we're very experienced upfront."
When asked about what they could’ve done better in the Indiana game in Miami:
"Yeah, I think it was just like a technique thing. I really do think we honestly beat ourselves in some of those scenarios and stuff like that.
I think, we were ready to go into that game and I think when we got into the game we took things for granted a little bit and then we just should have done better with the basics. I think we would have done a lot better."
When asked about what other areas he is going to improve on this offseason:
“I think just my overall, IQ of the game and stuff like that. Not just knowing the front 7 but also knowing what they can do in back coverage like, the defensive line,, the DBs, and stuff like that. Just watching more film and going from there.”
On the newcomers:
“I think the guys we have this year are honestly great. They're a great fit. I don't think we've had any problems with anyone who's come in as either a young guy or transfer. I know we've got another offensive lineman coming this summer, but from what l've heard, he'll fit in as well. I think we've been pretty blessed over the past couple of years. When we had the natty run, we had a lot of older guys that came back when the portal started first opened. After that we had to get a lot of young guys that stepped up last year. This is kind of the first year we've really dipped in the portal. As a whole team you only got about fifty-fifty coming back. I think that's the way college football is looking. I think we've been doing a great job at it. I think the culture's been fitting everybody.”
On introducing Buckeye expectations:
“I think it's just the standard. If you go ask Orlando Pace what the standard was back then being a Buckeye, it's to have a stickers on your helmet. I think the guys come in here, they know that. I think they know the heritage of being a Buckeye. I don't think they've looked at it as a scapegoat, or cheap, or something that's sweet. I think they've been coming in and put their head down and start working, so it's been cool to see that and how fast they've kind of conglomerated into the the spring. The summer is only going to be more opportunities to grow closer together as a team.”
On motivation and outside noise:
“I think this season's going to be a great opportunity to show what we have. Maybe rewrite some of our wrongs we had this last year. I think we have more experience, we have more skill work and stuff like that. I think our guys have only gotten better. Obviously, we have something to prove but we can't let that be the main driving force.”
On communication:
“You have got to be able to not only hold someone else accountable but hold yourself accountable and allow them to hold you accountable as well. That's hard, being a competitor and a prideful person like we all are to be able to put that aside and really take constructive criticism and not just criticizing but actually giving some constructive feedback is important.”
