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NFL Draft Experts in Agreement on Jeremiah Smith's Pro Potential After Ohio State-Notre Dame

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | Last updated Jan 20, 2025 11:33 PM ET

The best players tend to show up in the biggest moments, and on Monday night in the national championship game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Notre Dame Fighting Irish, it was true freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith who answered the call.

With the game on the line and Ohio State needing a first down on 3rd and 11 to ice the victory, Smith came up big, hauling in a 56-yard pass to seal it. Smith had five catches for 88 yards and a touchdown in the game, clinching the record for most receiving yards by a true freshman in the Big Ten in a single season.

This isn't the first time that Smith has stepped up in a big moment, though. All season long, he has made it clear that he is among the best receivers in the nation, if not the very best, as a true freshman.

After watching him play on Monday night, a lot of NFL draft experts on social media were in agreement about what's possible for him at the next level.

In short, the overwhelming opinion is that this kid could enter the draft this year and be the No. 1 overall pick in 2025.

Jeremiah Smith is the most NFL capable freshman I’ve ever seen in college football. What roster wouldn’t he make ?
— Colin Cowherd (@colincowherd) January 21, 2025

Jeremiah Smith is the type of generational stud that should challenge the NFL Draft eligibility rule.
— Josh Newman (@Joshua_Newman) January 21, 2025

Jeremiah Smith should be able to enter this year’s NFL Draft. Just declare it a special circumstance and be done with it.
— Andy Bitter (@AndyBitterVT) January 21, 2025

Jeremiah Smith could play in the NFL today
— Mik’d Up (@Mikdup_8) January 21, 2025

Having to wait two more years to draft Jeremiah Smith is really not fun.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) January 21, 2025

I’d draft Jeremiah Smith right now
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) January 21, 2025

Smith finished his true freshman season with 76 catches for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Of course, NFL general managers will have to wait another two years until Smith is draft eligible, but you can guarantee that when he does become available, there will be very few, if any, names called before his on draft day.

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

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