Jeremiah Smith will hear his name called early in the 2027 NFL Draft, but for now, he’s dominating at Ohio State.
In his 2026 season debut, Smith showed why he’s widely regarded as the best pass catcher in college football. In the Buckeyes’ dominant 56-3 beatdown of Ball State, Smith put up a monster stat line and a number of highlight-reel plays.
Jeremiah Smith’s Week 1 Stats in Ohio State vs. Ball State
Smith racked up eight catches for 151 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns in the Buckeyes’ win. He even sprinkled in five rushing yards. This was an outstanding performance, but it’s even more dominant when you consider he racked up all of his stats in the first half.
Ohio State has huge expectations this year, as always, and is looking to avenge its disappointing College Football Playoff loss last season. The Buckeyes turned to Smith immediately to get them off and running in the 2026 season.
QB Julian Sayin dialed up a deep ball to Smith down the sideline, and Smith made an insane catch using one hand to pin the ball against his helmet and stretched it out of reach of the defender.
This being Jeremiah’s first catch of his final season it just ridiculous.
Pins the ball to his helmets, holds the ball up before he hits the ground.
Sheesh. pic.twitter.com/qL8NngNQ4u
— Adam King (@AdamKing10TV) September 5, 2026
Ball State got on the board late in the first half, but Ohio State had time for a quick scoring drive. When in doubt, the Buckeyes are going to feed Smith.
On Ohio State’s last drive of the first half, Smith caught five passes for 74 yards and capped it off with the touchdown. To celebrate, he struck the Heisman pose, as he looks to take home some individual hardware.
JEREMIAH SMITH HEISMAN POSE 👀@OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/zlabKVjrQD
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 5, 2026
He is the No. 1 player in PFN’s 2027 NFL Draft Big Board and will be a phenomenal prize for a team that finishes at the bottom of the NFL standings.
Here’s a look at Smith’s complete Week 1 highlights:
JEREMIAH SMITH IS THE BEST IN THE WORLD
8 REC, 151 YDS, 2 TD
Heisman. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/3gO4laGdzF
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) September 5, 2026
PFN’s NFL Draft scouting report for Smith reads:
“Smith is the early top overall prospect in the 2027 NFL Draft and is a favorite to be one of the first players selected next April. In fact, Smith has been anticipated as a potential top-three pick since high school, when he was a five-star recruit and the No. 1 overall talent in the nation.
“Through his first two collegiate seasons, Smith has totaled 163 catches for 2,558 yards and 27 touchdowns. In 2025, his PFN WR Impact score of 85.1 was the fifth-highest among FBS players at his position. At 6’3”, 223 pounds, Smith has the size, length, and frame density to echo the brawling X-receivers of a WR era long past.
“He’s strong, explosive, physical, and an absolute hoss at the catch point, with an inherently proactive catch-point style that yields a near-20% catch rate over expectation. Past the domineering surface-level skill set, however, Smith is quietly a complete WR. He has a high level of deceptive intelligence and footwork efficiency as a route runner, which he weaponizes through a solid release package and route tree.
“He’s impressively fluid and sudden for his size, with a natural nuance and feel for spatial manipulation that exceeds his years. Smith isn’t as consistent as a RAC threat, and there’s still room to reach a higher echelon as an intermediate stem artist on comebacks and curls, but he looks born to be a true WR1, offensive alpha, and blue-chip weapon in the NFL.”
PREDICT THE CFB SEASON: PFN’s Free CFB Playoff Predictor
The Buckeyes have a big test next week against Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns. Big-game players make big-time plays, and Smith is one of those dudes.
The Buckeyes have plenty of offensive talent, but expect Smith to dominate in one of the biggest games of the season.
