Dan Lanning has seen the future of football—and it’s wearing an Ohio State uniform. After the Buckeyes’ stunning 41-21 victory over Oregon in the Rose Bowl, the Ducks’ coach wasted no time in declaring 19-year-old wide receiver Jeremiah Smith “NFL ready” right now, according to NBC Sports’ Nicole Auerbach.
Smith was nothing short of spectacular in the game, hauling in 7 catches for 187 yards and 2 touchdowns, adding to his already stellar freshman season. With 1,224 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns on 70 receptions, Smith has already proven why he was the nation’s No. 1 recruit.
This wasn’t the first time Lanning had seen Smith’s brilliance—back in October, Smith torched Oregon for 100 yards and a touchdown in a narrow 32-31 loss to the Ducks. But now, with his dominant performance on the biggest stage of his career, the young star has cemented his status as one of the most exciting talents in college football.
While Smith isn’t eligible for the NFL draft just yet, his meteoric rise suggests a future filled with accolades, possibly including a Biletnikoff Award or even a Heisman Trophy. As Ohio State heads to the Cotton Bowl for the College Football Playoff, their championship hopes are largely tied to Smith’s continued brilliance.
With a national title within reach, don’t be surprised if Jeremiah Smith’s name becomes synonymous with victory, as the Buckeyes aim to cap off a comeback season with the ultimate prize.
