Jeremiah Smith's definitive statement on leaving Ohio State for the NFL was perfectly on brand for the Buckeyes star
The Ohio State Buckeyes are at the top of the college football mountain after winning the National Championship last season. While this year's roster is much different, the fact that they produced three individuals on the cover of College Football 26 is telling that they're still to be feared. Ohio State fans should be able to […]
The Ohio State Buckeyes are at the top of the college football mountain after winning the National Championship last season. While this year's roster is much different, the fact that they produced three individuals on the cover of College Football 26 is telling that they're still to be feared.
Ohio State fans should be able to enjoy their top playmaker, Jeremiah Smith, for two more seasons. The NFL doesn't allow entrants into the NFL Draft until they've been out of high school for three years, which is great news for Buckeye fans, but bad for Smith, as he'll have to wait to get an NFL contract.
With the emergence of NIL, it's not as big of a deal as it was when Maurice Clarett sued the NFL two decades ago. That decision derailed his Ohio State career and NFL tenure.
Unlike Clarett, though, Smith has no plans of leaving the Buckeyes early or sitting out a season like Ja'Marr Chase did.
“I’m enjoying college,” Smith said. “I’m in no rush to go to the NFL.”
Smith caught 76 passes for 1,315 yards and 16 touchdowns, plus hauled in the game-sealing reception against Notre Dame on a fourth-down heave from quarterback Will Howard.
“Being on the cover of EA Sports College Football 26 is a tremendous privilege, and I’m proud to represent Ohio State alongside Coach Day while carrying the Buckeye legacy forward, celebrating the passion of our fans and the tradition of this incredible program,” Smith said in a statement.
Chase had sat out the 2020 season as COVID-19 ran amok that year. He ended up being selected fifth overall and has been an NFL All-Pro after leaving LSU.
Smith figures to have a similar fate, but two more years of on-field dominance in college sounds wonderful.
