Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith found himself in a three-way Heisman Trophy debate among ESPN analysts. During a recent segment, the analysts presented different predictions, with one analyst backing LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier over the record-breaking freshman who helped Ohio State win the national championship last season.
Jeremiah Smith Sparks Heisman Debate as ESPN Analysts Clash Over 2025 Favorite
During a recent “ESPN College Football” segment, three analysts made drastically different predictions for the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner.
Heather Dinich strongly supported Smith’s chances, pointing to his outstanding freshman numbers and big playoff games that helped Ohio State win the championship.
“I’m picking Jeremiah Smith to win the award because he’s only 19 years old, 17.3 yards per catch, 15 touchdowns and when you look at his numbers in the college football playoff, 45 yards for one catch, 43 yards for another. I mean, he is a big-time playmaker and the award goes to the best player, not the best quarterback,” Dinich stated.
However, Lewis Riddick went against Smith by picking LSU quarterback Nussmeier as his choice instead.
Riddick raised concerns about Ohio State’s offensive setup and pointed out throughout the analysis that Smith needed to rely on teammates for his success.
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“Jeremiah is really going to be dependent upon how the quarterback position really gels and kind of comes together for Ohio State and how Brian Hartline really does coordinate the whole thing now taking over and calling plays,” Riddick explained.
He praised Nussmeier’s control over LSU’s offense, stating “For Garrett, he’s going to be the one who’s in control. He’s the one who has the ball in his every single play. He is uber talented. He is super smooth, makes great decisions, real poised in the pocket. He’s in control of his own destiny.”
As expected, Paul Finebaum chose Texas quarterback Arch Manning as his winner, once again citing Manning’s name and ability to perform in big games.
“It’s Arch Manning. And here’s why. It’s not because I’m in love with a guy. It’s because he’s going to win that first game on the biggest stage in college football this year. And all of a sudden, it’s going to go from Archmania to, it’s going to transcend the sport of college football,” Finebaum said with typical confidence.
Statistical Breakdown Shows Tight Competition
Smith brings strong numbers from his outstanding freshman season at Ohio State. The 19-year-old caught 76 passes for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns while helping the Buckeyes win their ninth national championship. His stats earned him Big Ten Receiver of the Year and first-team All-American recognition.
Nussmeier offers solid production numbers after his first full season as LSU’s starting quarterback. He completed passes for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns while leading the Tigers to a 9-4 record and bowl win. His $3.8 million NIL value shows his worth and potential for professional football.
Manning draws the most attention among these three, despite playing mostly as a backup at Texas last season. The third-generation Manning family quarterback went 61 of 90 for 939 yards and nine touchdowns in limited action. His famous family name and +600 Heisman betting odds get huge expectations for this season.
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The split predictions show challenges ahead for Smith’s Heisman campaign. Riddick’s criticism of Ohio State’s offensive structure and quarterback uncertainty creates legitimate concerns about Smith’s ability to repeat his freshman success.
While performance will ultimately decide the winner, the analyst’s preference for Nussmeier highlights real obstacles Smith must overcome.
