The Ohio State Buckeyes put 11 new players into the NFL last weekend with the 2026 NFL Draft taking place. Ohio State football has made a major statement with 25 players drafted in the last two seasons overall. 

Ohio State is an NFL factory under Ryan Day more so than they’ve ever been. There’s no sign of them slowing down with Ohio State being expected to be well represented in 2027. Jeremiah Smith is going to be the headliner of the next class from Columbus. 

Smith is all but a lock to be the first wide receiver off the board next April, and the hype around him ahead of his junior season is heating up. 

Todd McShay pulls no punches with a bold statement on Jeremiah Smith 

McShay has Calvin Johnson as his best draft prospect at wide receiver he’s ever seen come out. The respected draft analyst was asked if Smith can challenge the spot on a recent podcast. 

“I’m not totally ruling it out. I swear,” McShay stated on his podcast recently. “I literally think he can be the best wide receiver of all time. He could be the best wide receiver in the history of the National Football League. I want you to think about that. I’m fired up and now he has a quarterback in his second year.”

Now all of the coverage in the whole world is going to be all over him. But he’ll get his spots and I can’t wait to see him in the league.”

Smith is coming off a strong 2025 season where he wasn’t 100 percent in 13 games played. Still, the Ohio State star put up 1,243 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns on 87 catches. Smith built off of his freshman campaign where he immediately became Ohio State’s option on a national championship team in 2024. As a newcomer, Smith burst onto the scene with 1,315 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns in 16 games played. 

They just don’t make 6-foot-4 wideouts who are as technically sound as Smith at 223 pounds. When you factor in his speed at his size, you’re looking at a scary specimen. The Florida native is a terrific route runner, has the speed to break away and house one at any time, and his football IQ is off the charts. There are no real weaknesses in Smith’s game and he’s going to shatter the Ohio State record book with ease in 2026. 

Ohio State fans need to enjoy one last season of Smith in Columbus because he’s going to hear his name called in the top-5 of the draft next year and make a team very happy for years to come. Don’t be surprised if you hear Smith thrown around as the greatest wide receiver prospect in recent memory when it’s all said and done.