Entering last season, most analysts picked Jeremiah Smith as the best player in the country. His run to help Ohio State win the national championship sold that narrative. In the four-game playoff run in 2024, Smith had 19 catches for 381 yards and five touchdowns.
In 2025, the Buckeyes' CFP run was disappointingly short. It lasted all of one game. However, Smith was magnificent against the Hurricanes, catching seven passes for 157 yards and a touchdown. Still, his inability to block on a wide receiver screen pass may have cost Ohio State the game.
Coming into this year, Smith is once again considered the best player in the country, especially by Joel Klatt.
Joel Klatt gives his argument for Jeremiah Smith being the best player in college football
While on his show, The Joel Klatt Show, Klatt gave his argument as to why Smith should be considered the best player in the country. It's hard to say that he's wrong.
There's only one "No. 1" as long as he's playing college football.@joelklatt with more on @OhioStateFB's Jeremiah Smith. pic.twitter.com/QuT2WJjC8G
— The Joel Klatt Show: A College Football on FOX Pod (@JoelKlattShow) August 5, 2026
"Jeremiah Smith is the best player in college football. He was the best player in college football a year ago. He's 6'3, 225 pounds. Named an Iron Buckeye. He's physical, he's fast, he's great catching the football. He's great. He's got amazing hands, he's a technician. He's got 29 total touchdowns in just 29 career games. And I'm telling you right now: if you watch the film, Julian Sayin left four, five, six touchdowns on the board, and almost all of them were to Jeremiah Smith."
The crux of Klatt's argument is that Smith has too many tools to be stopped. The stats back it up, as he averages 15.7 yards per catch. As Klatt mentions, the Buckeyes throw the ball to Smith no matter what coverage the defense is playing. That's the mark of a true superstar player.
Ohio State needs the offensive line to step up so Jeremiah Smith has time to get the ball
Despite the gaudy numbers that Smith put up against Indiana and Miami in the final two games of the year, he could have put up more. Had the offensive line kept Julian Sayin more upright, Smith could have accumulated close to 400 total yards in that game.
Instead, Sayin was put in the turf 10 times in those two games. He had to have his head on a swivel because the right side of the line was a turnstile. Gone is Tegra Tshabola, and Phillip Daniels has been put on notice. That unit is the most important unit on this team.
If the offensive line can protect better against the best teams, Smith could put up legendary numbers. He is one of the preseason favorites to win the Heisman Trophy. Having an average season would also see him break every receiving record in Ohio State football history.
Sayin has said he will come prepared to scramble more. Smith has promised to crush his opponents this season. It's up to the offensive line to make sure that both players are able to keep their promises.
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