Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith faces mounting pressure to end season early

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is facing mounting pressure to end his season early as top prospect in the 2027 NFL Draft.

The latest setback came on Saturday when the Buckeyes suffered a 41-28 loss to No. 23 Oregon, severely damaging their College Football Playoff hopes with three games remaining. With this defeat, Ohio State's chances of making it into the playoff as a three-loss team have likely been extinguished. The Buckeyes' season has taken a downturn since starting quarterback Julian Sayin suffered an injury in their win over Indiana.

Jeremiah Smith is one of college football's highest-paid players, reportedly turning down $10 million to transfer to Miami last year. He holds multiple program records at Ohio State, including receptions, touchdowns, and receiving yards.

In his impressive career with the Buckeyes, Smith also won a national championship as a freshman in 2024, an achievement that speaks to his exceptional talent on the field. This feat has cemented his place in Ohio State's history books alongside other notable records he has set.

Ohio State's struggles this season have led some analysts and observers to speculate about Jeremiah Smith's future with the team, sparking debate over whether it is time for him to prioritize his own interests and begin preparing for next year's NFL Draft.

Jeremiah Smith's performance on the field has been under scrutiny, especially after a recent loss to Oregon where he appeared visibly frustrated.

The Buckeyes' 31-point collapse in the second half of the game against Oregon has raised questions about their overall season prospects. Ohio State is unlikely to compete for a Big Ten Championship and may fall outside the top 15 in Tuesday's CFP Rankings.

Smith, who has been projected as the No. 1 overall prospect in recent rankings, was seen shouting at his coaching staff during the game. His targets were inconsistent on several occasions, which may have contributed to the team's struggles.

The Buckeyes had a strong start, taking a 14-point lead in the first half before Oregon took control of the game. Despite freshman quarterback Luke Fahey's impressive 360-yard performance, Ohio State was unable to recover from the deficit.

Harris, a former Alabama player and national champion, believes Smith should prioritize his own interests and consider sitting out the rest of the season.

The decision to sit out the remainder of Ohio State's season is one that Jeremiah Smith may need to consider, given his current situation on the field.

With three games remaining, including a crucial showdown against Michigan in their final matchup, it's unclear what benefits Smith would gain by continuing to play through potential injuries. College football has become increasingly similar to the NFL, with players' contracts often written to protect them from financial losses resulting from sit-outs.

Smith's chances of winning the Biletnikoff Award have taken a hit following Ohio State's recent setbacks, but he still has a strong opportunity to claim the title if he can maintain his impressive receiving statistics and improve his chemistry with quarterback Fahey.

Ultimately, Smith must weigh his desire to contribute to his team's success against the risks of injury that could impact his future in football.