Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State’s undeniable standout pass-catcher, should shut it down for the season and begin preparing for the 2027 NFL Draft. That’s the scorching hot take from CBS Sports analyst and former NFL running back Damien Harris, who didn’t mince words, effectively declaring Smith’s time with the Buckeyes is over.
Why Harris Is Calling It For Smith
Harris laid it all out after Saturday’s brutal 41-28 loss to No. 23 Oregon, a defeat that has likely “detonated” the 12th-ranked Buckeyes’ College Football Playoff hopes. “We just watched Jeremiah Smith play his last snap at Ohio State,” Harris said with conviction. “He’s done. He’s going to pack it up. He’s not playing anymore this season.” The reasoning is crystal clear: Ohio State is now a three-loss team with only three games left, and they’ve already dropped two straight since starting quarterback Julian Sayin suffered what’s expected to be a season-ending injury in a win against Indiana. For Harris, the season is simply “gone” for this team.
Smith’s Stature and a Season of Frustration
Let’s be real, Smith isn’t just any player. He’s projected as the No. 1 overall prospect in CBS Sports’ latest 2027 NFL Draft rankings, a generational talent who reportedly turned down an incredible $10 million to transfer to Miami. He’s already a program legend at Ohio State, holding records for receptions, touchdowns, and receiving yards. He even won a national championship as a freshman in 2024! So, what’s left to prove? Harris was emphatic: “He’s not going to get a Heisman this year, what’s there to play for?” He added, “In my opinion, there’s nothing to gain, there’s everything to lose if you’re Jeremiah Smith. I don’t think that he plays again the rest of the season for Ohio State.” The frustration is real, too. Cameras caught Smith noticeably worked up in the fourth quarter against the Ducks, shouting toward his coaching staff. Even with freshman quarterback Luke Fahey throwing for 360 yards, Smith’s targets were inconsistent. The Buckeyes actually jumped out to a 14-point lead in the first half against Oregon, only to give up the next 31 points in a soul-crushing collapse.
With Ohio State out of the Big Ten Championship picture and likely dropping out of the top 15 in the CFP Rankings, Harris’s message to Smith is loud and unambiguous: look after yourself. For a player with his future, there are “bigger things out there” than risking it for the remainder of a season that, for all intents and purposes, is already over.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply