“Three Buckeyes Selected in 2025 Heisman Fantasy Draft — But Did Experts Overlook Another Ohio State Star?”
The 2025 Heisman Fantasy Draft sent shockwaves through the college football world, and nowhere was that impact felt more deeply than in Columbus, Ohio. In a strong showing that speaks volumes about the depth and talent on the Ohio State Buckeyes’ roster, three players from the storied program were selected by experts predicting the most likely contenders for college football’s most prestigious individual award. That trio of Buckeyes represents the kind of high-octane firepower that fans have come to expect from a program synonymous with dominance, tradition, and NFL-level talent. However, as the list circulated across sports networks, fan forums, and social media feeds, a question began to take shape with increasing volume: did the experts get it right, or did they overlook another potential superstar hiding in plain sight?
The three Ohio State players who earned a spot in the fantasy Heisman draft were quarterback Devin Brown, wide receiver Carnell Tate, and running back Quinshon Judkins. Each of them carries a compelling resume, rich with promise and potential. Devin Brown, finally seizing the reins of the Buckeyes’ offense after a turbulent quarterback carousel over the past two seasons, has matured into a poised and explosive signal-caller. With a strong arm, quick feet, and a year of seasoning under his belt, Brown is expected to guide the Buckeyes with a mix of calm leadership and game-breaking talent. His rapport with the offense is clear, and if Ohio State makes a run to the College Football Playoff, Brown’s numbers could put him squarely in the thick of the Heisman race.
Carnell Tate, entering his sophomore season, is poised to be the latest in a long line of elite Buckeye receivers. Following in the footsteps of Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Marvin Harrison Jr., Tate’s route running, burst off the line, and football IQ have made him a quarterback’s dream target. He showed flashes of brilliance in his freshman campaign, and with the departures of Harrison and Emeka Egbuka to the NFL, Tate will undoubtedly become the centerpiece of Ohio State’s aerial attack. Fantasy scouts and college football analysts alike have raved about his separation skills and red-zone effectiveness, and his selection in the Heisman fantasy draft felt almost inevitable given the attention and volume he’s expected to command.
Meanwhile, Quinshon Judkins is a relatively new addition to the Buckeyes but is no stranger to Heisman chatter. The former Ole Miss standout transferred to Ohio State in the offseason and immediately vaulted to the top of the running back depth chart. Known for his bruising style, exceptional vision, and ability to wear down defenses over four quarters, Judkins brings balance to the Buckeyes’ offense and could be the key to unlocking their full potential. If he adapts quickly to the Big Ten style of play and becomes the workhorse many expect him to be, Judkins could post eye-popping numbers that would make him a legitimate Heisman contender by midseason.
Still, as experts celebrated the trio and highlighted their credentials, one name remained conspicuously absent from most conversations: Jeremiah Smith. The five-star freshman wide receiver and the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2024 class has already turned heads in spring practice and workouts. Smith’s size, speed, and catch radius are considered generational by many talent evaluators, and some believe he has the skill set to make an immediate impact akin to what Marvin Harrison Jr. did during his rise. Even in a wide receiver room as stacked as Ohio State’s, Smith has already earned reps with the first team and made highlight-reel plays during scrimmages that have gone viral. If anyone has the potential to be the breakout star of the college football season, it’s him.
So why wasn’t Smith included in the Heisman fantasy draft? Perhaps it’s the uncertainty surrounding true freshmen stepping into starting roles on elite teams. Coaches can be cautious about how quickly they trust unproven players, even those with elite pedigrees. The transition from high school dominance to college stardom is not always seamless, and the physical and mental demands of Big Ten football are daunting for even the most talented newcomers. Yet Smith’s talent is such that many believe those concerns should be secondary to what he brings to the field. His ability to win contested catches, stretch the field vertically, and dominate one-on-one matchups already separates him from his peers. If he starts the season hot and builds chemistry with Devin Brown, he could quickly become not only a regular feature in Ohio State’s offense but also a legitimate Heisman candidate in his own right.
Another player flying under the radar is linebacker C.J. Hicks. While defensive players seldom receive Heisman recognition, Hicks is the kind of talent who could change that perception. A former five-star recruit with elite sideline-to-sideline speed, Hicks has emerged as the heart of Jim Knowles’ defense. If Ohio State fields one of the top defenses in the country — and early indicators suggest they might — Hicks will be a big reason why. He racks up tackles, forces turnovers, and plays with the kind of intensity that coaches dream of. If he can notch a few game-changing plays in nationally televised matchups — say, a pick-six in a primetime win over Michigan or a strip-sack to seal a playoff-clinching victory — he could force his way into the conversation, even if only as a long-shot.
Also overlooked in the Heisman fantasy draft is tight end Jelani Thurman, who offers another intriguing possibility. While tight ends rarely receive the level of usage required to garner Heisman attention, Thurman is an athletic marvel with the ability to line up wide, in the slot, or in-line. Ohio State has traditionally underutilized the tight end position, but there are indications that offensive coordinator Chip Kelly may deploy Thurman more creatively. If so, and if Thurman becomes a matchup nightmare for linebackers and safeties alike, he could post gaudy stats and make himself an indispensable part of the offense. That would at least merit some reconsideration from experts who initially left him off the board.
There’s also a case to be made for running back TreVeyon Henderson. While Judkins has seized the spotlight as the presumed RB1, Henderson remains one of the most explosive backs in college football. His home-run speed, agility in open space, and familiarity with the Buckeyes’ system make him an extremely valuable asset. Injuries have hampered his production in past seasons, but a healthy and motivated Henderson could re-emerge in a major way. If Ohio State commits to a two-headed rushing attack to keep both backs fresh, Henderson could still eclipse 1,000 yards and push his way back into the national conversation.
Of course, the Heisman Trophy has historically favored quarterbacks, and that alone gives Devin Brown the clearest path among the Buckeyes to contend for the award. However, the possibility of multiple Buckeyes cannibalizing each other’s production is always a concern. With so many elite weapons on the field, it’s difficult for any one player to post the kind of singularly dominant season that captures voters’ imaginations. In some ways, that’s both the blessing and curse of being on a team as loaded as Ohio State. Great for winning games. Less so for racking up individual accolades.
Still, that should not be a reason to dismiss the candidacies of players like Jeremiah Smith or C.J. Hicks outright. College football is evolving, and the Heisman conversation is becoming broader. Voters are increasingly open to non-traditional candidates, particularly those who play on elite teams and contribute to signature wins. In an era defined by highlight reels and social media virality, all it takes is a few spectacular moments to shift the national narrative. If Smith high-points a game-winning touchdown in the Horseshoe against Penn State, or Hicks returns a fumble for a touchdown against Michigan, their names could rocket up the odds boards.
Ultimately, the selection of three Buckeyes in the Heisman fantasy draft underscores the immense talent and expectation surrounding the 2025 Ohio State football team. Each of those players has earned his spot, and each has a realistic path to New York if things break the right way. But for all the ink spilled over Brown, Tate, and Judkins, the exclusion of Jeremiah Smith — and to a lesser degree, players like Hicks, Thurman, and Henderson — reveals the challenges of forecasting greatness in a team so saturated with potential stars. The experts made their picks, and perhaps they played it safe. But as the season unfolds, don’t be surprised if someone they left out ends up stealing the spotlight, forcing everyone to admit they missed a Buckeye who deserved to be on the list all along.
