Jeremiah Smith’s rapid rise at Ohio State has caught national attention, with college football analyst Paul Finebaum declaring him “the best player” in the sport.
Now entering his sophomore year, the Buckeyes wide receiver is viewed as a frontrunner for prestigious honors, including the Heisman Trophy. Smith is also expected to play a critical role in Ohio State’s pursuit of a second straight national championship, but not without concerns.
What Did Paul Finebaum Say About Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith?
Jeremiah Smith has become a standout name across college football, and ESPN’s Paul Finebaum believes he’s already at the top. The Ohio State wide receiver enters his sophomore year after a remarkable debut season. Finebaum didn’t hold back when asked on ESPN’s Get Up whether Smith is currently the best player in the game.
“That he is. He’s so good, Greeny and, you know, (looking at) the draft where he would have gone last year, it’s incredible that he has to stay in college with all the convoluted rules,” Finebaum said.
.@finebaum believes “without a doubt” that OSU’s Jeremiah Smith is the best CFB player in the country 😯 pic.twitter.com/YZwv8fQpAZ
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) July 23, 2025
“But the biggest issue they had last year with Ryan Day calling the plays was getting him the ball enough. Remember in the Michigan game he didn’t get the ball enough? That Texas game? I think that will change this year, but he is without a doubt the best player in the game.”
Smith won’t be eligible for the NFL Draft until 2027, giving him at least two more seasons at the college level. While his eligibility keeps him out of the pros for now, it also sets the stage for more explosive Saturday performances.
The 6’3″ receiver ended his freshman year with 76 catches for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns, earning him Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Big Ten Receiver of the Year, and First-Team All-American recognition.
Finebaum believes Smith’s output could rise further under new offensive coordinator Brian Hartline, who is expected to center the offense around the dynamic wideout more aggressively.
In 2024, inconsistent play-calling led to Smith being underutilized in key matchups, including the Michigan and Texas games. That shortcoming is what Finebaum hopes will be addressed this fall.
Despite the maturity he displays on the field, Smith is still just 19. His youth was evident at Big Ten Media Days in Las Vegas, where head coach Ryan Day had to help Smith and fellow underage teammates check into their hotel.
“We were checking into the hotel and as we were checking in, the woman behind the desk said, ‘Is there someone 21 who can check these three guys in?’” Day said. “I said, ‘Yeah, I can do it,’ because Caleb and Sonny are both 20, and Jeremiah is 19.”
Smith may be young, but his impact and leadership are well beyond his years. He’ll put that star power to the test for the first time as a sophomore on August 30 when the Buckeyes host the Texas Longhorns in Columbus.
