Would Ohio State freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft? This question is lighting up conversations in the college football world, especially after his explosive performance in the College Football Playoff. Standing at an impressive 6-foot-3 and weighing 215 pounds, Smith has showcased his talent with 13 catches on 17 targets for 290 yards and four touchdowns. As the No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes prepare to face off against the No. 5 Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl Classic, all eyes will be on him as potentially the most impactful player on the field.
### The buzz surrounding Jeremiah Smith
The Cotton Bowl matchup is not just a battle between two powerhouse teams; it features seven projected first-round picks in Sporting News’ latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft. Among them, Smith is generating significant buzz, with many speculating whether he could be the top choice in the upcoming draft. Could he even challenge the NFL’s rule requiring players to be out of high school for at least three years?
### Historical context: Challenging the NFL’s age rule
This isn’t the first time a player from Ohio State has attempted to challenge the NFL’s age requirement. Maurice Clarett, a star running back who led the Buckeyes to a national championship in 2002, and USC receiver Mike Williams both tried to declare for the NFL Draft before the three-year rule was established. Although Clarett’s case was initially ruled in his favor by a lower court, it was later overturned, and he never played in a regular-season NFL game. Williams had a modest NFL career, but the question remains: Would Smith have a stronger case given the current landscape of college athletics and the emergence of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals?
Dan Wolken, a columnist, presents an interesting perspective: “With NIL money flowing, it isn’t even so bad these days for someone like Smith. There are a lot worse fates than having to spend two more years as the most popular and recognizable athlete on one of the best college campuses in America. But every now and then, it’s good to challenge the status quo.”
### Comparing Smith to past top recruits
Smith isn’t the first player to spark this kind of debate. Over the past decade, we’ve seen discussions around top recruits like Jadeveon Clowney, Myles Garrett, Trevor Lawrence, and Travis Hunter. The question arises: Could these players have played in the NFL after their freshman year? Many believe they could have, but whether they should have is another matter.
In terms of talent, Smith draws comparisons to Adrian Peterson, who was the No. 1 recruit in 2004. Peterson rushed for 1,925 yards and 15 touchdowns as a freshman at Oklahoma and later suggested he felt ready for the NFL right out of high school. “Not to sound cocky or anything, or confident, but yeah, I do feel like I could have came out my senior year of high school and played in the NFL,” Peterson stated in 2015. Anyone who watched him during that time would likely agree.
### Smith’s impressive stats and potential
Smith’s stats this season are hard to ignore. With 70 catches for 1,220 yards and an average of 17.4 yards per catch, he has established himself as a dominant force on the field. His ability to make big plays has drawn comparisons to NFL legends like Terrell Owens and Julio Jones. It’s no wonder that ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky boldly claimed, “He would easily be the No. 1 pick in the draft. You will have teams in two years for that ’27 (NFL Draft) tanking for him.”
### The legacy of top receivers in the NFL Draft
When discussing potential No. 1 picks, it’s essential to look at the history of wide receivers in the NFL Draft. The last receiver selected with the No. 1 pick was Keyshawn Johnson in 1996, who enjoyed an 11-year career in the league. Since then, 13 receivers have been taken in the top five, with varying degrees of success. Players like Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, and A.J. Green have become Hall of Famers, while others have fallen short of expectations.
Is Smith poised to join this elite group? The bar is set high, especially when considering the talents of players like Ja’Marr Chase, who led the NFL with 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns this past season. Former Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones compared Smith to Chase, suggesting that if he were in Smith’s position, he might not even play his third year in college. “I don’t think he needs it,” Jones said, highlighting the potential for Smith to follow a similar path to success.
### The future of Jeremiah Smith
As the College Football Playoff progresses, Smith’s draft status will undoubtedly remain a hot topic. Will he challenge the NFL’s age rule? Will he become the first receiver selected as the No. 1 pick since Johnson? The answers to these questions will unfold over the next few years, but one thing is for sure: Jeremiah Smith is a name to watch, and his future in football is as bright as his performances on the field.
With the excitement surrounding Smith and the upcoming draft, fans can only wait and see how this story unfolds. The world of college football is buzzing, and Jeremiah Smith is at the center of it all, ready to make his mark.
