Man, did you see that Ohio State-Texas game Saturday night? Seriously, an early-season banger that ended with the Longhorns pulling off a wild 24-23 comeback win! Most of us usually wait until the snow starts flying for games this big, but this one dropped early and delivered.
Jeremiah Smith Is Straight Up Unstoppable
But dude, if you saw that game, you know the real standout was Ohio State’s wide receiver, Jeremiah Smith. Eight catches, a monstrous 164 yards, and a touchdown. He was just doing whatever he wanted out there! Forget about just being the best player in that game, professional scouts are already calling him the top NFL prospect in the entire country, and they’re saying it’s not even close. Some are throwing out comparisons to future Hall of Famer Julio Jones, but honestly, that might actually be selling Smith short. This guy, all 6-foot-4 and 222 pounds of him, offers an exceptional combination of size, strength, and speed. And get this: he’s a far better route-runner than Jones was at the same stage in his college career. He can sink his hips and change direction with the agility you’d expect from a much smaller wideout. Plus, he’s got those strong, reliable hands, and he’s smart about shielding the ball from defenders. Remember that ridiculous catch late in the first half? He set up a Texas defender, then contorted his body mid-air to make a highlight-reel grab. He had to adjust his body mid-flight to snag that ball, giving the Buckeyes a first down and putting them in prime scoring position. That’s a top-5 draft pick, period.
Arch Manning’s Franchise Future Is Clear
Alright, so Smith was the undisputed top dog on the field Saturday night, and clearly the best overall prospect for the 2026 draft. But everyone knows the top quarterback is almost always the first pick, right? QBs just matter more. Fair or not, that’s the reality of football. Texas QB Arch Manning went 23-for-37 for 196 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception. Not a perfect stat line, but in that second half? Man, he looked like a future franchise quarterback. I’m not gonna say he’s the best QB in college football yet, but he absolutely can get there with ‘a few relatively small improvements.’ He’s got all the physical traits you look for in a franchise guy. And his mental toughness? Unquestionable. Think about the microscope he’s been under his entire life, the impossible expectations of growing up a Manning. He’s lived under that pressure, and he clearly thrives on it. He’s got the goods, folks.
That early-season showdown was more than just a thrilling comeback win. It was a sneak peek at some serious NFL talent. Jeremiah Smith is out here making a strong case for the top spot overall, and Arch Manning is cementing himself as the undisputed QB1. These two are gonna be appointment viewing this season, shaping the top of the draft board as we speak. You better believe NFL GMs are already taking notes!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
Leave a Reply