Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is only one year into his college football career and is already viewed by most as the best wide receiver in the NCAA. There are even many people who view him as the best player in college football. Last week, analyst Paul Finebaum appeared on “Get Up” and was asked if he thinks Smith is the best player in college football.
“That he is, he’s so good, Greeny,” Paul Finebaum said. “You know, doing the draft, where he would have gone last year. It’s incredible he has to stay in college with all the convoluted rules.”
While Finebaum believes Smith is the best player in college football, he also believes former Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly underused him last season. He pointed out a few key moments when Smith did not get the ball enough last year.
“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 in the Texas game. I think that will change this year, but he is without a doubt the best player in the game.”
.@finebaum believes “without a doubt” that OSU’s Jeremiah Smith is the best CFB player in the country 😯 pic.twitter.com/YZwv8fQpAZ
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) July 23, 2025
Chip Kelly is no longer the offensive coordinator for the Ohio State Buckeyes. After the team won the national championship, he took the offensive coordinator job with the Las Vegas Raiders in the NFL.
Brian Hartline, who served as the co-offensive coordinator for the Buckeyes last season, was promoted to he full role. He previously held the role in 2023 before Chip Kelly was brought in last season.
Jeremiah Smith Is a Heisman Trophy Contender Next Season
One of the biggest indicators that someone is viewed as one of the top players in college football is if they are in the Heisman Trophy conversation. That is especially true if they are not a quarterback. While two-way Colorado star Travis Hunter won the award last season, the Heisman typically goes to quarterbacks. As a result, if a player at a different position establishes himself as a contender, he is likely one of the best players in the NCAA.
Heading into the season, Jemreiah Smith is viewed by sportsbooks as the most likely non-QB contender. According to FanDuel, Smith has the fourth-best odds at +1300. He is only behind Texas QB Arch Manning, Clemson QB Cade Klubnik and LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier in odds.
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