College Football 2012 Top 150 Players: No. 118 Devin Smith Ohio State WR

Every day here at Your Best 11, we are counting down to the start of the regular season with our top 150 players for the 2012 season.

No. 118: Devin Smith, No. 15, Ohio State, Wide Receiver

Ohio State had a tough time moving the ball a season ago, especially through the air. The quarterback was green, the head coach was extremely conservative and the team itself was struggling to find their identity.

Devin Smith was one of two bright spots in the Buckeyes' passing game, the other being Jake Stoneburner. This year, Smith will be a sophomore and with the new offensive scheme brought in by Urban Meyer the year should be exciting.

Strengths

Smith came in as a slight of build but tall and capable wide receiver. His 6'3" frame allowed him to win jump balls from defenders and he takes long strides that gobble up yardage between him and the defender.

Devin Smith is a cushion-eater that is capable of taking the top off the defense and stretching the field. Put another way, Smith is a big play threat. While the Buckeyes were not putting the ball up in the air a lot in 2011, when Smith was targeted the bulk of the plays were down field with big play potential.

He also possesses an attitude when it comes to catching the football. Once the ball is in the air, the ball belongs to him. He fights to get the football, does not shy away from contact and is a big target in the red zone.

Weaknesses

Route-running and catching the football are going to be the main focus in Smith's game. In route running he must improve upon making precise cuts and not trailing or tailing off to gain separation.

The kid can really play football, and if he sticks his foot in the ground and goes, he can get away from most defenders in the Big Ten. Catching the football is not the issue, with respect to a lot of drops or inability to catch with his hands.

Rather, Smith and the rest of the Buckeyes' receivers have to prove they are reliable options in the offense so that the team can put the ball up in the air more. The more the team catches the passes Braxton Miller throws, the more confident the quarterback becomes in putting the ball up for them.

2012 Predictions

Smith, like Miller, is in a position and has the talent to be much higher on this list once the season ends. He has all the physical tools to truly become a dominant receiver in the Big Ten and the quarterback to help put him into that discussion.

Urban Meyer is going to look to Smith as the leader at the wide receiver position and that means more targets and more opportunity to use his big play ability. Do not expect Smith to have earth-shattering statistics in year one under Meyer.

However, the rising sophomore should see his numbers increase markedly, and getting over the 500-yard mark would show the growth that both he and Miller have made in their second season.