Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith Draws Comparisons to Greatest Wide Receivers in Football History as Hype Grows Entering 2025 Season
Jeremiah Smith hasn’t even played a full college football season yet, but the comparisons being made about the Ohio State freshman wide receiver are nothing short of legendary. From coaches and teammates to NFL scouts and analysts, the buzz surrounding Smith has reached a fever pitch—and for good reason. The early-enrolled freshman out of Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Florida has already turned heads during spring practices and summer workouts, displaying a rare combination of size, speed, technical precision, and football IQ. It’s led many to draw parallels between Smith and some of the most iconic receivers in football history.
At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, Smith has a prototypical NFL frame. But it’s what he does with that frame that’s so captivating. He’s explosive off the line, runs polished routes that belie his age, and has a knack for finding space against any coverage. Coaches say he attacks the game like a seasoned pro. Defensive backs describe him as a nightmare matchup—too fast for linebackers, too strong for corners, and too smart for safeties. And this is all before he’s taken a meaningful snap in an Ohio State uniform.
Within the walls of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, the hype is very real—but so is the substance. Smith hasn’t coasted on his five-star status. Instead, he’s doubled down, arriving on campus early and immersing himself in the playbook, weight room, and film sessions. Veteran players have praised his maturity, noting how quickly he’s earned respect in a locker room full of future NFL talent. “He’s got that quiet intensity,” one upperclassman said. “He doesn’t say a lot, but you can see it in the way he moves, the way he works. He wants greatness.”
Comparisons have come in waves. Randy Moss, Calvin Johnson, Julio Jones, Larry Fitzgerald—names that aren’t thrown around lightly. Even more recent stars like Ja’Marr Chase and Marvin Harrison Jr. have been mentioned in relation to Smith’s upside. It’s rare for a college freshman to be mentioned in such elite company, but those who have watched him closely believe he belongs in the conversation.
Ohio State wide receivers coach Brian Hartline, himself a former NFL wideout and arguably the most successful WR developer in college football today, has coached and recruited some of the best talent in recent memory: Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Marvin Harrison Jr. For Hartline to say that Smith might be the most naturally gifted of them all carries serious weight.
“Jeremiah’s ceiling is limitless,” Hartline said. “He’s got the physical tools, sure, but it’s the way he approaches the game that sets him apart. He studies, he listens, and he applies what he learns immediately. You combine that with his talent and you get something special.”
NFL scouts have echoed that sentiment. Though Smith won’t be draft-eligible until 2027, talent evaluators are already circling his name on future big boards. Some have gone so far as to say he could be a generational talent. One longtime AFC scout reportedly described Smith as “a hybrid between Calvin Johnson’s build and Jerry Rice’s discipline,” while another compared his release and route sharpness to a young Davante Adams.
It’s worth noting that comparisons like these often come with a healthy dose of skepticism—many young stars are labeled the “next big thing” before fading under the weight of expectations. But in Smith’s case, the praise is grounded in performance. During Ohio State’s spring game, Smith racked up over 100 receiving yards and two touchdowns, including a leaping grab in the back corner of the end zone that had fans and commentators buzzing. His performance didn’t just impress—it set a tone.
Fans have responded accordingly. Smith jerseys are already showing up in and around Columbus, and Buckeye Nation has embraced the young phenom with open arms. On social media, clips of his high school highlights continue to go viral, often followed by glowing comparisons to football legends. Recruiting experts, who ranked Smith as the No. 1 receiver in the 2024 class and one of the highest-rated prospects of the decade, say he’s already exceeding expectations.
For Smith himself, though, the outside noise doesn’t seem to matter. In interviews, he’s calm, focused, and almost stoic. When asked about the comparisons to Hall of Famers and NFL stars, he simply smiles and shakes his head. “It’s an honor, for sure,” he said. “But I haven’t done anything yet. I want to prove it every day. That’s what I’m here for.”
That humility is likely what has endeared him to the coaching staff even more. At a place like Ohio State, where the lights shine bright and the standard is sky-high, character matters. It’s not enough to be talented—players have to be coachable, disciplined, and team-first. So far, Smith has checked every box.
His impact on Ohio State’s 2025 season could be monumental. The Buckeyes are retooling their offense under new coordinator Chip Kelly, whose fast-paced, creative system is tailor-made for a player like Smith. Expect him to be featured heavily—not just as a traditional outside receiver, but lining up in the slot, taking jet sweeps, or even being used as a decoy to open up the field for others. Kelly’s offense thrives on creating mismatches, and Smith is a mismatch machine.
Opposing defensive coordinators are already preparing for him, even as a freshman. That kind of attention usually takes years to earn, but Smith’s combination of recruiting pedigree, spring performance, and physical dominance has fast-tracked his reputation. The Big Ten is no stranger to elite receivers, but Smith might be something new entirely—a player who steps onto the field not just as a contributor, but as a game-changer from Day One.
Of course, the comparisons to football greats come with pressure. There will be games when the numbers don’t reflect his effort. There will be tough matchups, learning curves, and mistakes. But Smith appears built for the long haul—both mentally and physically. His support system, including family members, former coaches, and the Ohio State staff, have emphasized the importance of process over praise.
Smith’s long-term potential is also reshaping how people think about wide receiver development. In a sport that often leans on upperclassmen, Smith’s rapid rise challenges the notion that even the most talented players need time to adjust. It’s possible, many now believe, for a freshman receiver to not only compete but dominate in an elite Power Five program. And it’s likely that Smith’s trajectory will influence how future recruits are evaluated and utilized across the country.
For now, though, the focus is on the season ahead. Ohio State is expected to contend for a Big Ten title and a spot in the expanded College Football Playoff. If the Buckeyes are going to reach those heights, Jeremiah Smith will almost certainly play a major role. He may be young, but the ball finds greatness—and greatness seems to follow Smith wherever he goes.
As the college football world watches and waits, Smith continues to put in the work. Early morning lifts, late-night film sessions, endless reps on the JUGS machine—none of it is glamorous, but all of it is necessary. Because while the comparisons may be flattering, Smith knows the truth: greatness isn’t given. It’s earned.
Whether he lives up to the Hall of Fame comparisons or carves out his own unique legacy, one thing is clear—Jeremiah Smith is not just another top recruit. He is a special talent, arriving at a special place, in a special moment. And if the early signs are any indication, the best is yet to come.
