Jeremiah Smith Set to Face USC as Ohio State's Top Prospect

Jeremiah Smith will play against the University of Southern California on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC. The Ohio State junior is currently the front-runner for the Heisman Trophy, holding odds of plus-122 at DraftKings. He is also ranked as the No. 1 overall player in the 2027 draft class by ESPN analyst Jordan Reid.

Smith enters the game with 52 receptions for 984 yards and 12 touchdowns through seven games. Those receiving numbers rank second in the Football Bowl Subdivision. He has tied for second in contested catches with 15. The Buckeyes are ranked No. 2 in the country.

He has broken Ohio State career records for receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns since joining the team as a true freshman in 2024. In his first year, he recorded 76 catches for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns. He led the team despite sharing a room with future first-round picks Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate.

NFL scouts compare Smith to Hall of Famers due to his combination of size and speed. A Los Angeles Chargers executive noted that Smith moves like a smaller player but has the power of a larger one. He averages 18.9 yards per catch, which ranks 15th in the nation. He has dropped only one pass this season and six in his three-year career.

Coach Ryan Day says Smith's discipline separates him from other talented athletes. Day stated that Smith won the genetic lottery but did not rely solely on talent. The coach noted that Smith had the right mindset when he arrived in Columbus. Day added that he would love to credit the coaching staff for developing that trait, but Smith already possessed it.

Former Ohio State receivers also praise Smith. Garrett Wilson, the No. 1 pick in 2021, said Smith is the best receiver he has seen at that level. Wilson described Smith as league-ready from his first year. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the No. 1 pick in 2023 and reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year, said the numbers prove Smith is at the top of the mountain.

Scouts suggest Smith needs to improve his change of direction on short routes. An AFC area scout said Smith can be rigid after the catch. Last season, only 31.3 percent of his receiving yards came after the catch. This season, that figure has risen to 33.6 percent. Scouts believe improving this area would solidify his status as a generational talent.

Defending Smith requires physicality at the line of scrimmage. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, who has faced Smith three times, called him a freak. Sarkisian said the first half against Ohio State was tough, but his team found ways to stop Smith in the second half. Smith had eight receptions for 164 yards and a touchdown in that 24-23 loss for the Buckeyes on Sept. 12.

Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin is out indefinitely with a throwing arm injury. Freshman Luke Fahey or sophomore Tavien St. Clair will likely throw passes to Smith. Sayin recalled a 57-yard catch against Penn State last season where Smith beat a double team. Smith finished that game with six receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns, including a one-handed catch on a tipped pass.

The Los Angeles Chargers are one of three teams identified as a good fit for Smith. They are 0-6 and would pick first if the season ended today. The team ranks 26th in yards per attempt at 6.3. Smith would provide an explosive threat for quarterback Justin Herbert. The Tennessee Titans, who are 1-6, selected Carnell Tate with the No. 4 pick in 2026.