Jeremiah Smith is making waves after a beyond-impressive freshman year at Ohio State. Smith’s sophomore season will be instrumental, especially as he navigates the new quarterback atmosphere at Columbus. If he continues to play at his best, just as he did in a championship run with his team, he will eventually make another NFL gem of the future. His eventual transition to the professional league has sparked talk among the fans and veterans. But his ascension story isn’t good news for fellow QB DJ Lagway. The Florida Gators QB, one of the most elite investments of Billy Napier, is going to be under the highest scrutiny after a captivating first year.

The 19-year-old Florida Gators QB can’t be leveled as a finished product, but he played enough quality football to be tagged as a superstar in the making, as he continues to turn heads at both the college and professional levels. Yes, you heard it right. He can’t become draft-eligible until 2027, but that doesn’t mean the NFL world is sleeping on his indomitable talents. Former UF linebacker and 2025 NFL Draft prospect Shemar James put Lagway on a pedestal when asked about him in a recent media session. James has seen beyond his lofty stats and picked his leadership quality and super-dominant aura as his most cherished trait. But the real question is, does he deserve the top spot in college football with these assets in the upcoming season?

That’s a question analysts like to take with a pinch of salt. There can be no question about Lagway’s talents. He has big cannon arms, insane speed, and the ability to read defenses in such an early phase of his career. Of course, he has not been the most perfect QB you have ever seen. He needs strong development in some areas, like pass defense. But his 1915 yards, 12 TDs, and 9 INTs are enough to turn heads and make you think about what this kid can do in the next two or three years. But again, when it comes to being the best in 2025, ON3’s Ari Wasserman noted, ‘‘If I had to have one player on my team next year out of everybody in the country, it would be unequivocally Jeremiah Smith.”

”But if we take Jeremiah Smith out of the equation, I think it’s within the realm of possibility that by November, we’re viewing DJ Lagway as one of the five best players in college football.’‘ Ari left some room for solace for the 19-year-old Florida kid. Smith is undeniably up in his game, another destined NFL gem in 2027.

Smith showcased his talent by racking up an impressive 1,315 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns, establishing himself as a key target for quarterback Will Howard. A talent so good that it makes 32 NFL teams wait with bated breath for his turn to be landed as a pro. But before the NFL happens, his college football journey becomes a more compelling narrative if Urban Meyer’s prediction turns out to be true.

Jeremiah Smith receives a stupendous prediction from Urban Meyer

Meyer praised Smith as potentially the best player in college football, referencing the same success as Travis Hunter, who recently won the Heisman. In his Triple Option podcast with Rob Stone, Meyer talked highly of Smith: “Well, the best player in the country in maybe the last decade is Jeremiah Smith. He’s the best player. If I had to say, it’s only +1200. Arch Manning’s number one at +700 as far as the betting. I’m gonna say Jeremiah Smith’s gonna be the first receiver in a while to win the Heisman Trophy,” Meyer explained.

Yes, Smith’s numbers are ridiculous. For opposition defenses, Ohio State’s WR was a problem, and that was particularly evident in the playoffs. But one odd thing that keeps him at a crossroads is his position. DaVonta Smith was the last true wide receiver to win the Heisman in 2020.

There are only four WRs in history who could claim the coveted prize for themselves. Travis Hunter won it as a two-way star, not a wide receiver exclusively. So, Jeremiah Smith’s situation will be different from Travis’. With all said and done, he is pushing his limits to reach the sky under Ohio State’s championship-winning team and coaching. As far as DJ Lagway is concerned, he is carving out his own path as well, even if it’s not ahead of Smith.