Will Howard led Ohio State to a National Championship this past season after defeating Notre Dame before moving on to the NFL, before naming the player to watch in college football this year
Will Howard has named his former Ohio State number one wide receiver as Jeremiah Smith as the best player in college football ahead of the 2025 season.
Quarterback trio Arch Manning, Garrett Nussmeier and Cade Klubnik are above Smith as the best odds to win the Heisman Trophy next season, but Howard believes his former college teammate to be the best talent in the nation after what he showed in his freshman year.
As a true freshman, Smith dominated like no wide receiver ever has in college football, with 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns and winning a National Championship – including catching a deep-ball from Howard in the final against Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame team. His incredible performances have seen him on the cover of EA Sports College Football 26, alongside fellow second-year receiver in Alabama’s emerging superstar, Ryan Williams.
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Speaking to EA Sports ahead of their release of the new game, Howard was asked who he believes should be the cover star for the second edition after it’s return.
He said: “Give me Jeremiah Smith… Best player in the country right there, man.”
While Manning will be disappointed not to be on the cover, not too many would argue with Smith being chosen after his incredible first year in college football – something his older cousin Geno Smith had seen coming.
The Las Vegas Raiders starting quarterback had warned college football coaches that his younger cousin would dominate as soon as he entered the NCAA.
In a 2023 press conference when Smith had been with the Seattle Seahawks game, Geno had discussed his abilities before a reporter asked his name. He replied: “His name? Jeremiah. You’ll all know it next year.”
Geno was then asked about Jeremiah again after news had broke that he won the starting position as a true freshman, before replying: “I’ve seen a lot of great receivers, and I’ve had the chance to watch a lot of JJ since he was about 10 years old. He’s gonna be the best receiver ever. I really believe that.”
Smith had dominated through his first year, but put in a statement performance in the Rose Bowl as Ohio State advanced over Oregon earlier this month, having 187 yards and two touchdowns.
In that game, he was given a 94.6 grade by Pro Football Focus (PFF) for his performance – one of the highest ever given to a receiver.
Smith will not be draft eligible until 2027, in what looks to be a generational class alongside the aforementioned Williams, with quarterbacks DJ Lagway, Dylan Raiola and potentially, Manning, if he stays at Texas.
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