Jeremiah Smith Studying These 3 NFL WRs to Improve as OSU Star Named Best Player in CFB by Insider

Entering his junior season at Ohio State, star receiver Jeremiah Smith is hoping to add some new facets to his already expansive skill set.

While The Athletic's Bruce Feldman named Smith as "the best player" in the nation entering the 2026 campaign, Smith is hoping to improve on gaining yards after the catch, and he's been "watching a lot of Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ja'Marr Chase and Malik Nabers cut-ups to get better at making guys miss."

Smith has already established himself as a big-play threat, as he led the country over the past two seasons with 10 catches of at least 50 yards. Still, he said new Buckeyes receivers coach Cortez Hankton challenged him and the rest of the team's pass-catchers to focus more on yards after the catch, as Ohio State ranked No. 95 in YAC average last year.

"That's really been the biggest emphasis from him," Smith said. "Making guys miss. … We were sitting watching my cut-ups from the whole season, and it was like, 'You wanna know something?' I said 'What?' He said, 'You guys were the worst in the country in YAC.' (sic) I was shocked by that. We're doing something every day that pertains to YAC."

Feldman noted that Smith's combined 2,558 receiving yards and 27 touchdown receptions are the most by any Big Ten receiver in his first two collegiate seasons. Despite being the focal point of opposing defensive game plans, he still dominated with 87 catches for 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2025.

Smith appears poised to dominate even further in 2026, as he now weighs 224 pounds to go with his 6'3.5" frame. Feldman noted that his "explosiveness for that size is reminiscent of" Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Johnson. Smith told reporters last month that his biggest gains over the offseason were in speed and acceleration, which should be a terrifying thought for his opponents this year.

"I feel like I've gotten faster from last year," he said. "I'm just moving a lot better than I was last year and in my freshman year."

Smith will put his new skills on full display when Ohio State opens the 2026 season on Sept. 5 at home against Ball State.