Jeremiah Smith’s Rising Hype Fuels Ohio State’s 2026 Championship Ambitions
As Ohio State reloads for another national title push, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is drawing elite NFL comparisons even before becoming draft eligible.
- Glenn Catubig
- 3 min read
The Ohio State Buckeyes continue to produce top-tier NFL talent, and their latest wave of stars has already reshaped expectations following another high-profile draft showing in 2026.
Wide receiver Carnell Tate was selected fourth overall by the Tennessee Titans in the 2026 NFL Draft, reinforcing the program’s reputation as one of college football’s most consistent pipelines to professional success.
Yet even as Tate enters the league, attention within the program and across the sport is shifting toward the next elite receiver prospect in Columbus, Jeremiah Smith.
Smith’s rapid rise has fueled national discussion, with analysts suggesting his ceiling may exceed that of recent Ohio State first-round wideouts.
1. Elite Comparisons Fuel Rising Expectations
NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid recently offered one of the strongest evaluations of Smith to date, placing him above every recent Ohio State receiver to enter the first round. Reid highlighted Smith’s combination of size, athleticism, and technical polish as traits that separate him from even the program’s most successful recent NFL exports. He drew stylistic comparisons to elite NFL wide receivers such as Julio Jones and Andre Johnson, emphasizing Smith’s potential to translate into a dominant professional force. Such projections have elevated Smith into early conversations about future top-five draft status despite him still being in the early stages of his college career.
2. Ohio State’s Championship Window Remains Open
The Buckeyes entered the previous season as defending national champions, setting high expectations for another title run behind a deep and talented roster. A strong 12-0 start positioned Ohio State as a leading contender for the College Football Playoff, with momentum building toward another championship appearance. However, back-to-back losses to Indiana and Miami late in the season ultimately derailed their pursuit of consecutive national titles, halting what had been a dominant campaign. Despite the setbacks, the program remains firmly established among the nation’s elite and continues to reload with high-end talent at multiple positions.
3. Smith And Sayin Lead Next Era
Looking ahead to 2026, Ohio State is expected to be led by quarterback Julian Sayin and rising star receiver Jeremiah Smith, forming the foundation of the team’s offensive identity. Both players represent the next generation of Buckeye talent, tasked with restoring the program to national championship contention. With several top competitors from last season’s College Football Playoff cycle losing key contributors to the NFL, Ohio State appears positioned to reassert itself at the top of the college football landscape. If Smith continues on his current trajectory, he could not only validate elite NFL comparisons but also cement himself as a potential top draft pick in the near future.