Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is already showing up at the top of NFL draft chatter, and a new mock has him going all the way to No. 1.
Bleacher Report’s latest projection sends Smith to the Miami Dolphins with the first overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. That’s a big statement for a player who is still entering his junior season at Ohio State, but it reflects just how much buzz he’s building around the league.
Smith has been one of college football’s most productive receivers from the jump. In his freshman season, he posted 76 catches for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Last season, he followed that up with 87 receptions, 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns. Those numbers have only strengthened the idea that he’s one of the best wideouts in the sport.
Ohio State came into the new season with plenty of belief after falling short of a repeat title last year, and Smith is the headliner on an offense loaded enough to make the Buckeyes dangerous again. The speculation now is whether he’ll stick around for his senior year or jump to the NFL after this season.
Bleacher Report made its case for Miami by pointing to the state of the roster and the quarterback situation. “The Miami Dolphins are the NFL's least talented squad, hence why they're projected to own next year's No. 1 overall draft pick.
Obviously, a quarterback should be in play, but Malik Willis did sign a two-year deal. Instead, Miami selects the class' No. 1 overall prospect, Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith, to give Willis a legitimate weapon,” Bleacher Report's Scouting Department wrote.
The fit makes sense on paper for Miami, especially after the team moved on from both of its star wide receivers this offseason. The Dolphins let go of Tyreek Hill and traded Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos, leaving a major hole at receiver.
With many expecting Miami to sit near the bottom of the standings, the Dolphins could be in range for a premium pick. Depending on how the season unfolds, Smith could be a target whether they go quarterback or stay with the best player available. And if Miami ends up at the top, the chance to step in as the immediate No. 1 option could make it a compelling landing spot for the Ohio State star.
In Other News...
Ohio States Defense Faces A Texas Threat Beyond Arch Manning
Even with Arch Manning drawing the loudest attention, Ohio States opening-week trip to Texas looks like a test of the whole Longhorns offense. Ryan Wingo gives Texas a vertical threat on the outside after a strong start to the season and a productive year ago, while Cam Coleman brings the kind of size and physicality that can stress a secondary at every level. For a Buckeyes defense trying to set the tone early, the challenge is not just tracking the quarterback, but making sure the receivers do not turn the game into a track meet.
Trevor Goosby adds another layer to the matchup up front, because his presence at left tackle helps determine how comfortable Texas can be in protecting its offense and opening up the passing game. His return from the knee issue in fall camp gives the Longhorns a more complete look, and it leaves Ohio State with a clear early-season measuring stick on both edges of the line. If the Buckeyes are going to leave this one with a statement, they will have to account for more than the headline name under center. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Heads To Texas With One Early Concern Still Lingering
Ohio State opened the season looking deep and well prepared, with Steve Helwagens early read emphasizing how much the Buckeyes can lean on their overall roster strength. The secondary stood out as one of the cleaner parts of the performance, and the general takeaway was encouraging enough for a team already eyeing a much bigger test ahead at Texas.
There is still one practical concern hanging over that trip, though, and it has less to do with talent than with conditions. With severe heat expected in Austin, Ohio State may have to go two deep to manage the workload, and the opener also left a few reminders of what still needs cleaning up, from shaky first-half run blocking to a handful of dropped passes from Chris Henry Jr. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State's Early Ranking Sets Up A Big National Debate
The first weekend of the college football season already forced some major recalibration in the rankings, and Ohio State remains right in the middle of it. After a slate that featured LSU making a loud statement against Clemson, the Buckeyes stayed near the top alongside Miami, while the full top-25 list reflected just how quickly one opening week can reshape the national picture.
Stephen Means updated AP Top 25 ballot for Week 1 had Ohio State at No. 2, a sign that the Buckeyes still sit firmly in the championship conversation even as LSU claims the top spot. The early board also brought some turbulence elsewhere, with Michigan dropping out after an uneven showing against Western Michigan, leaving the Buckeyes with plenty of reason to track how the debate around the top of the sport develops from here. [Read more 🡒]