Dan Lanning Says Jeremiah Smith Is 'NFL Ready' at Age 19 After OSU's Rose Bowl Win

Dan Lanning has seen enough from Ohio State's freshman receiver to know that he belongs at the next level.

After the Buckeyes' dominant 41-21 win over Oregon in the Rose Bowl on Wednesday, Lanning declared that 19-year-old receiver Jeremiah Smith is "NFL ready" today, per NBC Sports' Nicole Auerbach.

Smith had seven catches for 187 yards and a pair of touchdowns on Wednesday.

Smith has had an outstanding freshman season for the Buckeyes, racking up 1,224 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns on 70 receptions. It was Lanning's second time seeing Smith at his best as he put up 100 receiving yards and a touchdown in October when the Ducks beat Ohio State 32-31.

Smith came into the collegiate ranks with plenty of anticipation given he was the No. 1 player in the nation, according to 247Sports Composite, and he's lived up to those lofty expectations.

While Lanning thinks Smith could play in the NFL today, the young star will have to play two more seasons before he's draft-eligible. Considering how well he's played this year, Smith is likely on his way to a prolific college career that could very well include a Biletnikoff Award and perhaps even a Heisman Trophy.

Wednesday's quarterfinal matchup was by far the biggest game Smith has played in thus far and he rose to the occasion. The Buckeyes hope to get two more big performances from him this year as they pursue a national title.

After a pair of dominant wins against Tennessee and Oregon, Ohio State has a matchup with Texas in the Cotton Bowl next week. The Buckeyes look like a different team since losing to Michigan at the end of the regular season, and a championship seems well within reach.

If Ohio State ends its season with a win, Smith will undoubtedly be one of the biggest reasons why.