The term “true freshman” just doesn’t equate to the same anymore. The times of frail, cagey high schoolers making the step-up are a thing of the past. No more cagey, only courageous. Athletes now are often ready right off the conveyor belt at the proverbial talent factory. Hardly any growing pains or bedding-in period required. One player at Ryan Day’s Ohio State is the epitome of this evolution. 

Labeling Jeremiah Smith a freshman or a prodigy is a disservice to his other talented peers. Still only 19, he’s already earned reverence as one of the best in the sport. Certainly in his own position group. Jeremiah Smith is a rule-breaker who’s thwarting all sorts of conventions and norms. This has led to a fascinating premise for one CFB media member. If Jeremiah is clearly someone who can skip the line and move ahead to the NFL level already, should it be facilitated? Not just for his own sake but for that of the cornerbacks tasked with containing this monster.

Over the College Football Addiction YouTube channel, host TJ Pittinger brought on Buckeyes fan and insider Zach Smith from “Menace 2 Sports”. Discussing Jeremiah Smith’s rapid ascension, Pittinger asked, “You coach this position. Is it physically possible for Jeremiah Smith to get better than he was in 2024?” In reply, Zach Smith said, “The scary part is, yeah. He still doesn’t understand really what he’s doing. He’s just so freaky and so talented…they talk about him like he works [hard] like no one ever has, and he seems like a pretty smart kid. So once he starts to learn the intricacies of coverages, of attacking defenders…I think you’re going to see not a sophomore slump, like a sophomore explosion…I don’t even know what his ceiling is!” This discernment led TJ Pittinger to ponder whether the curious case of Jeremiah Smith demands an update to the rulebook.

The rules dictate he has to wait a minimum of 3 years after graduating high school before he can turn pro. That’s still 2 years away. “It’s almost unfair that [Jeremiah Smith] has to play two more years in college football. Not only to him but to the rest of the Big 10, the rest of college football,” said Pittinger. It’s not even far-fetched to suggest that if Jeremiah continues to improve, he could turn CFB into a 1-team, uncompetitive sport over the next couple of years. “I’ve never really thought much about the NFL changing that rule. If there was ever a player to change it for, it would be him. He would be the first wide-receiver taken this year! There’s no question about that!” he proceeded. Zach Smith concurred with that sentiment. As well as the notion that Jeremiah Smith has validated a probe into a potential rule change.

Ever so often, a generational athlete comes along and shifts the paradigm. Over 2 decades ago, LeBron James signaled the end of players jumping into the NBA right from high school. Go beyond that, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar caused the NCAA to impose a rule against dunking in college basketball, which lasted for 10 years. It’ll seem hyperbolic to compare teenager Jeremiah Smith to these figurative GOATs at this juncture. But he’s trending in that direction. Additionally, a receiver’s career isn’t the longest. So, if Jeremiah Smith got the opportunity, he could maximize his window by spending the extra couple of years in the NFL.

It’s not going to happen right away, and Jeremiah will see out his sophomore and junior years at Columbus in all likelihood. However, it’s food for thought for the powers that be. Jeremiah Smith could act as a trailblazer for those to follow. To be fair, at least he’s not really missing out on the financial front. In a bizarre revelation, Jeremiah is sitting on more money already than a 6x Pro Bowler!

Jeremiah Smith won’t mind sticking around with Ryan Day and the Buckeyes

The NFL is, across the board, a touch above its collegiate contemporary. The gap has shrunk, though, at least in terms of the money aspect. Quite frankly, the introduction of NIL has blurred the lines. Try imagining this rather unfathomable scenario. Jeremiah Smith, heading into year 2 of college, has more sitting in his bank A/C than a 13-year NFL vet who made $80 million in his career. Sensationally, it doesn’t need imagining—it’s reality.

Jeremiah Smith, alongside his teammate Carnell Tate and now ex-teammate Emeka Egbuka, guested on the “I AM ATHLETE” podcast. During the podcast, the receiving corps was put on the spot by host and retired NFL receiver Brandon Marshall. Now, people usually don’t like talking about finances on these podcasts, and for good reason. The prejudice and discourse online can be scathing. However, maybe the WR-nexus softened Jeremiah Smith. “I want to see this NIL money that’s crazy,” said Brandon Marshall as Jeremiah pulled out his phone. “Y’all make more money than half the receivers in the league. They probably hate y’all!” What Marshall likely didn’t see coming was the full extent of how crazy said NIL money is.

He read the figure and showed Jeremiah Smith his own, and they both burst into laughter that was undercut by a certain level of awkwardness. “Yo! Jeremiah got more money than me!” exclaimed Brandon Marshall. “And I know that’s [just] one account!” Look, Jeremiah Smith deserves everything that has come his way. He’s already the best receiver in CFB, and was a key to the operation that won the Natty. The scary part is he’s only going to rise to new levels. By extension, so will his finances. Fortunately for Ryan Day, he’ll likely continue to do so in scarlet and gray for the foreseeable.