Jeremiah Smith makes plays like he was built in a lab. From the moment he stepped foot on campus at 17, there was an undeniable buzz, the kind you’d expect for a player who moves like a gazelle and thinks like a 10-year NFL vet. Now, fresh off an electrifying freshman season where he tallied 76 catches, 1,315 yards, and 15 touchdowns, Smith has gone from a highly touted prospect to a name whispered as a future No. 1 NFL Draft pick. Mind that he has 2 years of eligibility remaining. Some are urging him to do that.

The Buckeyes’ National Championship run was driven by plenty of elite talent, but it was Jeremiah Smith who became the standout star. Whether he was breaking off defenders on his routes or turning contested throws into easy catches, Smith made running slants and the route tree look effortless. And now, people are starting to ask: could this young phenom really shake things up and declare for the NFL Draft before his time?

Well, it’s a tempting idea, but Ohio State’s HC Ryan Day and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly would tell you it’s not as simple as it sounds. To prove that, The B1G Network went to Ohio State’s training facility. “He’s a tremendous talent,” Day said in a recent interview with the Big Ten Network.

Day added, “You probably saw one of the plays he made today. I’ve been trying to keep everything at bay for a little while until he plays. But it’s no secret. The thing that impresses me the most about him is not only his physical ability—running routes, catching the ba-l, his size, his strength—but his work ethic. He really works at it on the field, goes hard, and off the field as well. A very, very few missed assignments for a young player.” His head coach’s words carry weight because he’s seen plenty of talent pass through Columbus, but #4 is clearly in a league of his own.

Kelly’s admiration for Jeremiah Smith, however, feels like something straight out of a football fairy tale. “Yeah, that’s the one thing about JJ. He’s a tremendous athlete, and that kind of struck me the first time I saw him. I’m like, wow, who is that kid?” Kelly said. “But then his work ethic—it’s not typical of a 17-year-old. And I say that because he was 17 when he first got here. I think he just turned 18, but he is like an old soul. He’s like a guy that’s been in the NFL for 10 years and just wants to work on his craft.”

The OC went further, recalling Smith’s freakish athletic ability during a team competition. “We had an Olympic competition that went from 48 to 24 to the final eight, then the final four. He won it as a freshman. In February, during testing, he broad-jumped 11 feet, 2 inches. That would have been the best jump at the NFL Combine this year—and he did it at 17.” But for Kelly, Smith’s mental makeup stands out even more. “What amazed me about JJ is his mental approach. Every day, he’s focused on getting better. Sometimes that maturity at that age is really special.”

The numbers back up the hype. Smith averaged 17.3 yards per reception this season, proving he’s as much of a home-run threat as he is a reliable possession receiver. He torched defenses week after week, playing with the kind of polish you’d expect from a veteran. But what sets the young wideout apart is his versatility. Whether he’s stretching the field vertically, working the intermediate zones, or throwing himself into stock blocking, Smith does it all with the same intensity and precision.

And yet, despite all the buzz and the hypothetical scenarios about him entering the draft early, the idea feels far-fetched. While Smith could potentially cash in if he were eligible, staying at Ohio State for another season seems like the wiser choice. The Buckeyes are set up for another title run, and Smith is perfectly positioned to elevate his stock even further.

The risk of injury or regression is always there, but the reward—a chance to solidify himself as the consensus top pick—is worth it. Plus, Smith’s maturity suggests he understands the value of patience in building his legacy.

It just might be too early. Obviously, this would be a nightmare scenario for the Buckeyes. Even having a chance of losing Smith would be a gut punch. With that being said, one analyst thinks that he should consider making a drastic move.

Is Jeremiah Smith selfish or smart?

Caleb Downs was greedy and left Alabama in pursuit of NIL. And Matt Hayes of USA Today stirred the pot recently by suggesting that Ohio State Buckeyes WR Jeremiah Smith should do the same, taking a dip in the transfer portal. Hayes laid out his case, saying, “Smith wouldn’t just be the first wide receiver taken in this year’s NFL Draft—he’d likely be a Top-5 pick. In other words, this guy’s stock is through the roof.” He argues that jumping into the portal could open new doors for the star receiver, both financially and otherwise.

The idea is selfish: Smith could test the waters, explore his value in the portal, and then potentially return to Ohio State with an upgraded deal. Hayes even cheekily points out that this wouldn’t tarnish Smith’s legacy. “We’d all still talk about loyalty and the lifelong bonds of championship teams,” he quipped.

Alternatively, if the Buckeyes can’t match what the market offers, Smith could leave with a championship ring and memories to last forever. The guy’s already in a sweet spot. Ohio State has set him up to shine on and off the field. If money is the motivator, the portal might tempt him, but why mess with perfection?