It feels like just yesterday EA Sports’ College Football 25 made a splash with new modes, killer graphics, and overall ratings that had digital fans buzzing. But this time, the hype train is leaving the station way early, and it’s all about player ratings—specifically, right in Buckeye territory. At the center of the storm? Ohio State’s five-star WR, Jeremiah Smith. His projected rating in College Football 26 has ignited a firestorm of debate, splitting CFB fans down the middle. Is he undeniably elite, or has EA’s rating system gone completely rogue?

Jeremiah Smith didn’t just meet expectations—he shattered them. The former No. 1 player in the Class of 2024 arrived at Ohio State with sky-high hype, and somehow he delivered. From day one, he was a nightmare in the Buckeyes’ offense, torching defenses with ease. Smith rewrote the record books as a freshman, finishing with a Big Ten-best 1,315 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. No Ohio State rookie had ever done it like this.

Smith dominated as a freshman, but EA Sports hit him with just a 90 overall? 🤔 College Football Nation is NOT having it. The news broke through College Football Alerts‘ IG post, where they asked, “Who will be the top-rated player in the game? 👀” But fans weren’t focused on that—they were too busy calling out the disrespect toward Smith. A record-breaking season. Unstoppable talent. Big-time plays in big moments. And yet, just a 90?

But ratings aren’t set in stone; they can change mid-season based on player performance, Heisman buzz, and all that good stuff. Smith himself saw a six-point jump last time around, landing him at a 90 overall in College Football 25. The 0-99 scale factors in speed, strength, and position-specific ratings. After this season, fans were expecting a bigger bump for the Buckeyes’ breakout star, and the debate is getting louder by the minute.

Even 247Sports analyst Cooper Petagna couldn’t hold back his praise. On The Ultimate CFB Show, he laid it out plain and simple: “The combination of the size, speed, the athleticism and ability to beat you anywhere on the field, take the top off the defense, the strength at the catch point, the dependability, all of it. If God could create a receiver, he’d create Jeremiah Smith, and he’s perfect in every single way.” So the question is—how did EA get this one wrong?

Smith isn’t just good—he’s built for greatness. At 6’3, 215 pounds, with three straight 1,000-yard seasons, his dominance speaks for itself. But some still try to downplay it. And Petagna shut that down real quick. “A guy with his size, 6’3, 215 pounds, with three straight years of 1,000 receiving yards and people say, ‘Oh yeah, two years back in high school, the genetics, the cousin of Geno Smith. You talk about a guy who broke every record at Ohio State. Receiving yards in a game, 187 against the No. 1 team in the country in the Rose Bowl. Big-time players make big-time plays in big moments,” he said.

And now, CFB fans are speaking up—LOUD and CLEAR. Fans across the nation are saying the same thing—Smith deserves better. Some are calling for a 95+. Others say he should be the highest-rated WR in the game.

What do CFB fans think of Jeremiah Smith?

Jeremiah Smith lit up defenses all season, but when it mattered most, Michigan had the final say. Buckeye fans felt the sting, but one game doesn’t define a star. And yet, the debates keep rolling. One fan didn’t hold back, dropping a comment that sparked even more discussion: “Just cause JJ lost to Michigan don’t mean he supposed to be over 90.” College football fans never miss a chance to stir the pot.

Ranked No. 8 by Pro Football Focus with an 89.7 grade, the Buckeye star torched the No. 1 team in the nation for 187 yards and 2 touchdowns. Top-10? Absolutely. But should he be even higher? Many think so. And fans are making their voices heard. One boldly stated, “Jeremiah Smith shouldn’t be the same overall than Ryan meaning he should be a 94.” It wasn’t just 19-year-old Smith; both star wide receivers this season, including 18-year-old Ryan Williams, received 90 overall ratings. Another chimed in, saying, “Jeremiah Smith at 90? He should be at least a 96 probably even a 97.”

However, the Jeremiah Smith hype train isn’t just rolling—it’s breaking speed limits. Even non-OSU fans see his greatness. One declared, “Downs and Smith should be 99. And I’m not even an OSU fan.” Right now, it looks like Caleb Downs is leading the pack with a 95 overall rating, followed by Harold Perkins and Makhi Hughes at 92. And if you’re wondering about big-name QBs like Arch Manning…he’s at 89 overall.

Another boldly stated, “Jeremiah bouta invent the 99 club for NCAA.” Looks like Smith is about to rewrite the rulebook. EA Sports didn’t even have a 99 Club for NCAA players in 2024; they only added Travis Hunter, that too after his Heisman win. That club is reportedly very exclusive, with just a few members. But this time, Jeremiah Smith might force their hand. The size, the speed, the records—he’s HIM.

Fans aren’t just asking for a rating boost—they’re demanding history. If EA Sports knows what’s good for the game (and the fans!), they’ll make it happen. Jeremiah Smith, the NCAA’s first-ever 99 overall? Don’t be surprised. Be ready.