Jeremiah Smith Talks OSU Future After Carnell Tate NFL Draft Decision, WR Transfers

Ohio State may be losing one star receiver, but another is staying put this offseason.

After Carnell Tate announced his decision to head to the NFL draft, star sophomore Jeremiah Smith confirmed that he's staying with the Buckeyes.

Smith is coming off another tremendous season in which he recorded 87 receptions for 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns. The second-year player is not yet draft eligible, but it's fair to assume he'd be a top-five pick in this year's draft class if he were.

Tate was an outstanding second option for quarterback Julian Sayin, as the junior hauled in 51 receptions for 875 yards and nine touchdowns. It's fair to assume he would have been the leading receiver on Ohio State if it hadn't been for Smith's incredible year.

Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department considers Tate to be the No. 8 overall player and the top receiver in this year's draft class. In the latest mock draft from B/R, Tate is projected to go to the New Orleans Saints with the No. 8 pick.

Smith's announcement that he plans to stay at Ohio State likely eases the nerves of many Buckeyes fans after recent events. Since the portal opened on Jan. 2, wide receivers Mylan Graham, Bryson Rodgers and Quincy Porter have all decided to move on from Ohio State.

The departure of those three isn't the worst thing that could happen to Ohio State, considering none had more than 100 receiving yards this year, but it does leave the Buckeyes with some talent to replace.

The good news is, their best receiver and arguably the best receiver in the country is staying in Columbus.