Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith Receives Lofty Comparison From NFL Scout

Ohio State Buckeyes star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith had a phenomenal performance in the win over the Illinois Fighting Illini, as he had 12 receptions for 217 yards and four touchdowns.

Smith was unstoppable and proved again why he is one of the greatest wide receiver prospects ever.

After the game, a 20-plus-year NFL scout compared Smith to legendary wide receivers Calvin Johnson, Julio Jones, and Larry Fitzgerald. He stated that Smith has elements of all of their games and shouldn't be such a precise route-runner at his size. 

It's almost unbelievable to hear a college player compared to some of the best receivers in NFL history, but every time Smith is on the field, he proves he deserves the comparison.

Johnson and Fitzgerald are NFL Hall of Famers, and Jones will likely become one as well once he is eligible, making this a lofty comparison, but Smith's play has made it impossible not to wonder what his full potential will be.

Smith is one of the top players in the country and a true contender for the Heisman Trophy. After his exceptional game against Illinois, his Heisman case only grows stronger.

He is the best prospect in the 2027 NFL Draft and could be the first overall pick if a quarterback-needy team doesn't hold the selection.

The 20-year-old star receiver has been incredible since his freshman year with the Buckeyes. In the 2024 season, he had 76 receptions for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns while rushing for 47 yards and a touchdown.

In his sophomore campaign, he was an All-American and finished sixth in Heisman voting, as he caught 87 passes for 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns, adding 21 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Through the first four games of the 2026 season, he has 33 receptions for 617 yards and seven touchdowns. The offense clicks with Smith leading the way, and he has formed a strong connection with quarterback Julian Sayin.

Sayin also played well in Ohio State's win, completing 27 of 36 passes for 367 yards and four touchdowns, all of which were caught by Smith. Sayin also rushed for 29 yards and a touchdown.

Smith is truly one of the best receivers in college football history and is getting the recognition he deserves from scouts. He will look to continue shattering records and help Ohio State make it back to the College Football Playoff.