Paul Finebaum calls Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith best player in college football

ESPN’s Paul Finebaum called Jeremiah Smith the best player in college football and the Ohio State wide receiver certainly has a good case. Going into his sophomore season, the Buckeyes star is in the Heisman conversation and could help his squad win back to back national titles.

Finebaum is still mad that Smith couldn’t go into the 2025 NFL Draft after his freshman year due to the eligibility rules for the league. If he had, he was likely going to be the top wide receiver selected.

Smith will be eligible for the 2027 NFL Draft so for now, he’ll look to tear up more college defenses. However, Finebaum wants to see something a little different this fall.

“That he is. He’s so good Greeny and, you know, (looking at) the draft where he would have gone last year, it’s incredible that he has to stay in college with all the convoluted rules,” Finebaum said on Get Up. “But the biggest issue they had last year with Chip Kelly calling the plays was getting him the ball enough. Remember in the Michigan game he didn’t get the ball enough? That Texas game? I think that will change this year but he is without a doubt the best player in the game.”

Smith stood out immediately when he had his training camp black stripe removed from his helmet early. It was no fluke, considering his stat line last year. Smith finished the season with 76 catches, 1,315 yards, 15 touchdowns and 17.3 yards per catch.

Despite how good he is, it’s amazing to remember how young he is. He’ll be in college football for another season after this one, barring something unforeseen like a holdout or injury of course.

Funny enough, Smith being one of the younger players was noted at Big Ten Media Days, since the event is in Las Vegas. Head coach Ryan Day actually had to check in Smith and Caleb Downs into their Vegas hotel due to the age restriction.

“We were checking into the hotel and as we were checking in, the woman behind the desk said, ‘Is there someone 21 who can check these three guys in?’” Ryan Day recounted. “I said, ‘Yeah, I can do it,’ because Caleb and Sonny are both 20, and Jeremiah is 19.

“When you get around our guys, and especially these three, you realize not only how talented and special they are, but what great young men. And I think all three guys are a great representation of what it means to be a Buckeye and they have shown great leadership.”

He was the Big Ten Receiver of the Year and Freshman of the Year. For his efforts in the 2024 campaign, he was also named a First-Team All-American. Smith didn’t shrink under the bright lights.