Jeremiah Smith Leads Ohio State NFL Prospects Debate on Buckeye Talk Podcast

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The latest episode of Buckeye Talk delved into the intriguing world of NFL draft prospects, centering on Ohio State’s wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Hosts Stephen Means, Stefan Krajisnik, and Andrew Gillis debated Smith’s potential as a top pick despite not having played a college snap yet.

Smith’s talent has sparked conversations about the NFL draft’s complex value system. ‘Yeah, it was pretty easy. I think we know there’s a guy on the current roster who is going to go top five in the NFL draft, no questions asked,’ Krajisnik stated confidently, referring to Smith.

What makes this even more remarkable is that Smith won’t be eligible for the draft until 2027. This certainty around his future is notable, raising questions about whether positional value outweighs raw talent in draft ranking. ‘No, but it’s an interesting conversation because Jeremiah has the highest floor of anybody,’ Gillis noted, adding another layer to the debate.

Despite Smith’s exceptional status, the hosts grappled with the fundamental question: Can a non-quarterback be the top pick? Means remarked, ‘But he’s also not a quarterback.’ This highlights how quarterback value often influences draft decisions immensely.

Gillis further explained, ‘If you’re an NFL team sitting at the top of a draft going, well, we really suck. We need a lot. Are you taking Jeremiah Smith or are you taking somebody you think could be a franchise quarterback?’ This perspective made it clear how positional importance weighs heavily in evaluations.

Historical context also came into play as they compared Smith to Marvin Harrison Jr., another highly regarded receiving talent who wasn’t the first player chosen in his draft. ‘Jeremiah has the highest floor of anybody that we’re going to discuss because I don’t see a world in which Jeremiah falls out of the top five,’ Gillis reiterated.

The discussion also touched on various quarterback prospects, including Julian Sayin and Brady Edmonds, positioning Smith’s guaranteed ranking against potential quarterbacks.

Ultimately, the hosts ranked Smith as their top overall prospect, emphasizing how his unique talents may challenge the conventional focus on quarterbacks in the NFL draft. This debate serves as a glimpse into Smith’s promising future at Ohio State and his anticipated impact on the NFL.