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Analyst: Ohio State Freshman ‘Competition’ for Travis Hunter If Eligible for 2025 Draft

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Michael Gallagher | Last updated Dec 21, 2024 10:13 PM ET

Few would argue that Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter is the best player in college football.

The 21-year-old two-way star won the Heisman Trophy last weekend, narrowly edging out Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, and he’s expected to be a top-five pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

And while Hunter dominated college football this season, many believe that role will be Ohio State freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith’s next season. In his first year with the Buckeyes, Smith led the team in receiving with 57 catches, 934 yards and 10 touchdowns, and he will likely be an early Heisman favorite next year.

Smith has been so impressive this season straight out of high school that noted NFL draft guru Dane Brugler of The Athletic boldly stated he would be a likely top-10 pick if he were draft eligible this year.

“If he were eligible, Jeremiah Smith would be competing with Hunter to be the first non-QB drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft,” Brugler wrote.

Smith won’t be draft eligible until 2026, and if he stays on his upward trajectory, it wouldn’t be surprising if he were a top-five pick or were even in the conversation for No. 1 overall.

Brugler’s assessment stemmed from fellow Athletic colleague David Ubben tweeting about watching Smith in person for the first time. Ubben made the Smith-Hunter comparison after the former scored Ohio State’s first touchdown of Saturday’s College Football Playoff matchup against the Tennessee Volunteers on a 37-yard touchdown pass from Will Howard.

“My first time seeing Jeremiah Smith in person,” Ubben tweeted. “Reminds me of Travis Hunter in the way that some guys just move at a different speed/power than everybody else on the field. Guy is unreal.”

Ohio State led Tennessee 21-10 at halftime, and Smith led all receivers with five catches, 81 yards and a touchdown.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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