Rece Davis Reveals Jeremiah Smith News During NFL Draft

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dave Holcomb | Last updated Apr 26, 2025 11:10 AM ET

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is still two years away from NFL Draft eligibility. But it's fun to consider the hypothetical of where he would land if in the 2025 draft.

ESPN's Rece Davis left little doubt Thursday that Smith would be at the top of the board even after only one college season.

"We were watching [Smith] on the sideline [during] the Penn State-Ohio State game this year," Davis said on ABC's broadcast of the first round in the 2025 NFL Draft. "Every NFL scout there said, 'If we could draft right now, he's No. 1 overall.'"

That is a jaw-dropping statement considering Smith doesn't turn 20 years old until November.

It's also worth noting that Smith, at least by his standards, didn't dominate the Penn State Nittany Lions. Yet still, NFL scouts were hyping him on the sideline to Davis.

Smith posted four catches for 55 yards versus Penn State on November 2. At that point in the 2024 season, that was Smith's lowest yardage output in a game.

He was one of the nation's best players as a freshman

Returning @bigten wide receiver of the year Jeremiah Smith chats with @1Tyvis about the season ahead #B1GFootball x @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/xtfaEVEGSr
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) April 12, 2025

Smith won't be eligible to enter the NFL until 2027.

A lot can change in two years. But it's more than fair to argue Smith is the early favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.

As a freshman, Smith registered 76 catches for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns. The receiver led the Big Ten in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.

Smith also averaged 17.3 yards per reception.

During the national championship game, Smith had five catches for 88 yards and a score.

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

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