Jeremiah Smith burst onto the college football scene with a blend of size, speed, and efficiency that has evaluators scratching their heads. Amid debates on On3’s “DEBATING the Top 100 Players in College Football entering 2025,” insiders have labeled him an “alien” and likened him to a “baby Terrell Owens,” setting sky-high expectations for the sophomore phenom.
Jeremiah Smith’s Otherworldly Athleticism
In the on3 debate coverage, Smith’s physical traits stole the spotlight. One insider marvelled:
“You…don’t see that blend of size and speed often…a lot of people in our industry, when being very optimistic, are comping him to a baby Terrell Owens,” highlighting how his 6-foot-3, 215-pound frame mirrors NFL greats while still maintaining jaw-dropping agility. This comparison underscores the rarity of a college receiver who can dominate both in contested catches and downfield bursts.
Smith’s track background further cements his alien reputation. “Let’s remind you he’s from the state of Florida that produces a lot of good athletes, and he’s a state champion in the 110-meter and 400 hurdles, proving he’s got that burst, he’s got that size, he’s got that lead.”
That multi-sport pedigree translates to track-meet separation on the football field, allowing him to efficiently run past defenders or power through tight coverage.
Beyond raw tools, Smith’s efficiency sets him apart. According to the insider, “He’s the only Power Five returning receiver to have over a 3.0 yards per route run, so that is pure efficiency—how many yards are you getting on a per-pass-play basis…he just screams he’s an alien in terms of being a physical specimen and just producing.”
Such per-snap production fuels Ohio State’s offense and foreshadows a seamless transition to the NFL level.
Transcendent Impact on the Field
Smith’s freshman year reads like a highlight reel filled with game-breaking moments. He shattered school records, hauled in deep strikes, and consistently turned short passes into explosive gains.
His ability to track the deep ball and make high-point contested catches echoes Terrell Owens’s elite instincts while carving out his legacy in Columbus.
Defenses have no blueprint for containing Smith. Whether lined up outside, in the slot, or motioning across formations, he commands constant attention from safeties and cornerbacks.
This freedom creates mismatches across the Buckeyes’ playbook, allowing quarterbacks to exploit single coverage or force defensive rotations that open the field for other playmakers.
As on3 analysts noted, Smith’s relentless work ethic and high football IQ push him to refine his route tree and expand his role. His uncanny physical dominance and cerebral preparation make him a nightmare for opposing coordinators and a prime candidate for end-of-season awards conversations—from the Biletnikoff to the Heisman.
KEEP READING: Could Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith Already Be a Top-5 NFL Draft Pick? Insiders Break Down
Smith has rewritten expectations for true freshman receivers in just one collegiate season. His alien-like attributes and Owens-style explosiveness have college football buzzing, and with another year to develop, he may well redefine what’s possible at the position.
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