Jeremiah Smith is putting together the kind of season that forces people to think bigger than college football.
The Ohio State wideout has become the centerpiece of a Buckeyes offense that’s already among the best in the country. He’s not just piling up production, either - he’s setting records for Ohio State and making life miserable for every defense that has to deal with him.
Through the year, Smith has hauled in 48 catches for 916 yards and 11 touchdowns. If that pace keeps rolling, he won’t just stay in the Heisman Trophy conversation; he could also end up as the top pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
That idea is already showing up in mock drafts. In Bleacher Report’s latest 2027 mock from Brent Sobleski, Smith goes first overall to the Tennessee Titans. That projection has popped up before, and it makes sense given Tennessee’s place at the bottom of the NFL this season.
The pairing is easy to see. The Titans would be lining Smith up with former No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward, who has had a rough start to his first two seasons. Tennessee hasn’t exactly made things easier on him, especially up front, and Smith would instantly give Ward a target he hasn’t had yet.
That’s the appeal of Smith: he gives his quarterback a real answer when the play breaks down. He brings the kind of ability that can steady an offense and change how a game feels in a hurry.
For Tennessee, the upside is obvious. Smith is the sort of player who can alter a franchise’s direction, and if he’s paired with Ward, the Titans could be looking at a legitimate foundation for the future.
For now, though, Smith is still in Columbus, chasing a title for Ohio State while teams around the league keep waiting for the day he finally enters the draft.
In Other News...
Ohio State Just Got A Clear Warning About Indiana's Quarterback
Indianas quarterback has already drawn a detailed scouting report heading into the matchup with Ohio State, and the message is pretty clear: the Buckeyes cannot treat this as a routine Big Ten assignment. Josh Hoover is expected to be the focal point of Indianas offense, with the discussion around him centered less on raw numbers than on the way the Hoosiers can create stress with their play design. The expectation is that Indiana will lean on deep shots and misdirection to test Ohio States discipline and communication.
For the Buckeyes, the bigger concern may be how much of that plan can be disrupted before it gets rolling. The source pointed to defensive approaches other teams have used against Indiana as possible blueprints, which puts the emphasis on preparation and recognition for Ohio States front and secondary. Hoovers ability to move around adds another layer, but the real issue is whether Ohio State can identify the counters fast enough when Indiana starts pushing the ball vertically and changing the picture in front of it. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Finally Gets The Early Test Fans Have Been Waiting For
Indianas narrow win over Nebraska did more than keep the Hoosiers moving forward, it preserved some real weight around their upcoming trip to Columbus. For Ohio State, that means the early stretch finally brings the kind of opponent fans have been waiting to measure this team against, with a conference game that should reveal more than the usual September tune-up.
The Hoosiers are not the same group that rolled through last season, either. They have had to replace star quarterback Fernando Mendoza with Josh Hoover, and that change only adds another layer to a matchup already carrying plenty of interest. For Ohio State, it is the sort of test that can start answering whether the Buckeyes are exactly where they think they are, or still have some proving to do. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Faces A Right Side Decision Before Indiana
Ohio State got a little breathing room with the bye week, but the right side of its offensive line is still something worth watching before Indiana arrives. Starting right tackle Austin Siereveld sat out the Maryland game with an injury and remains questionable, leaving the Buckeyes in a spot where health and continuity matter almost as much as the matchup itself.
Phillips Daniels is back after nearly a month away and is the next man up if Siereveld is not ready. For a team trying to use the extra time wisely, the week off gives Ohio State a chance to sort through a spot that can quietly shape protection, run-game rhythm and how comfortable the offense feels coming out of the break. [Read more 🡒]