Jeremiah Smith Is Rolling Over College Football and the NFL Has Absolutely No Answer

Alright, you wanna talk generational talent? The kind of player that makes you stop scrolling, rewind the play, and just shake your head? Listen up, because Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith isn't just good, he’s that guy. We’re talking about the undisputed, no-question-about-it, number one skill player in college football for 2026. Brad Crawford over at CBS Sports dropped his list of the top 26 skill guys, and Smith is sitting pretty right at the top. If you haven't been watching, you're missing out big time, buddy.

The Buckeyes' 6-Foot-3 Nightmare For Defenses

When you hear "generational," you know it's not a word thrown around lightly, right? But for this 6-foot-3, 223-pound monster of a wideout, it just fits. Smith rolled into Ohio State as the consensus No. 1 overall prospect in 2024, and he lived up to the hype immediately. His first two years in college? Absolutely insane. In 2024, during the Buckeyes' national championship run, he snagged 76 passes for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns, even hitting over 100 yards receiving twice in the College Football Playoff. Can you even imagine that kind of impact as a freshman?

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And he didn't slow down! His sophomore season saw him put up similar numbers, finishing with 87 catches for 1,243 yards and 12 scores. Even with Ohio State's disappointing 2025 postseason and him missing out on the Biletnikoff Award, you know that’s just gonna put a chip on the shoulder of an already dominant player. Crawford summed it up perfectly, saying Smith is "the kind of talent that comes around once in a generation. The gaudy NFL aren't premature, they're warranted." He's got the size, the physicality, the speed, the ball skills, and he just takes over games. Good luck trying to defend that one-on-one, because it ain't happening.

Beyond Smith: Miami's Elusive Game-Changer

Okay, so Smith is #1, no doubt. But who's right behind him on Crawford’s elite list? That would be Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney, clocking in at No. 2 overall. This dude had a ridiculous freshman year himself, hauling in 109 receptions for 1,211 receiving yards and 10 touchdown catches. Think about that production for a second. The kid is a force.

What makes Toney so interesting, especially compared to Smith, is how different they are. Smith uses his crazy length and build to just dominate downfield. He's a nightmare for corners trying to keep up. Toney, on the other hand, is a smaller, more elusive guy. That makes him an absolute terror in the intermediate passing game and a headache to tackle when he's got the ball. Seriously, trying to bring him down in space? Good luck. These two are on totally opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of skill sets, but both are flat out game-changers.

So, we've got Jeremiah Smith and Malachi Toney tearing up college football right now. You just know NFL scouts are already locked in on these guys. Get ready to hear these names for years to come because they're coming to change the game, and we in Seattle will be watching closely to see where they land.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.