Over the last decade or so, the Ohio State Buckeyes have been producing NFL-ready wide receivers at a record pace. They have had a first-round draft pick at the receiver spot in five straight drafts, which is a record. In 2027, they are likely going to have another one in Jeremiah Smith.
Smith is the best returning player in the country heading into 2026. There are some who believe he could win the Heisman Trophy. A former Ohio State receiving legend is one of those people, but he has bigger expectations for what Smith will be able to accomplish in his football career.
Ohio State receiver Cris Carter has outsized expectations for Jeremiah Smith
While speaking with Rich Eisen on the Rich Eisen Show, Carter shared the enormous expectations that he has for Smith in his career moving forward.
"Heisman Trophy. ... I expect him to be the third gold jacket that I've been associated with and have had a role in their life."
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) August 10, 2026
Cris Carter describes how good Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith is on the @RichEisenShow 🙌 pic.twitter.com/RjaZDCqI08
"Heisman Trophy. We're working on something this offseason. We're working on yards after the catch. And guess what? I sent him the video Saturday morning, and to the receivers coach, I expect him to be the third gold jacket that I've been associated with and have had a role in their life. That being Larry Fitzgerald, Randy Moss, and JJ. I expect it. I sent him that video, and I mean business. That is his genetic ceiling."
Carter didn't stop there. He continued to compare Smith to some of the greatest receivers to ever play the game of football.
"He's a combination of Calvin Johnson and Julio Jones, with the disposition like Larry. He's a problem. Only one more time for Michigan, but he's going to be a problem in the National Football League."
Carter is a Hall of Fame receiver in his own right, so he knows what it takes. Even so, this is a massive amount of expectation to put on Smith. He likely will soon hold every major Ohio State receiving record, so Carter thinks these are expectations he can live up to.
Jeremiah Smith could go down as the greatest receiver in Ohio State history
When this season is all said and done, Smith could end up being the best receiver to ever play for the Buckeyes. He will likely own the record for receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns at the end of the year, all in just three years. That's why Carter believes Smith will be a Hall of Fame player.
Right now, only Carter and Dante Lavelli are the only two receivers to play for Ohio State who are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Paul Warfield is in the Hall as a receiver, but he played running back at Ohio State, so he doesn't really count. Carter thinks Smith could join that group of players.
Ohio State is going to make sure they get the ball to Smith as much as possible this year. He is the best weapon they have, and he is extremely hard to bottle up. Whichever NFL team drafts Smith in the first round should be very happy with the quality of player they will receive.
Add us as a preferred source on Google