Big 10 Coach Throws Bizarre Shade at Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith

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The Ohio State Buckeyes head into the 2026 college football season as one of the best teams in the nation on paper. With Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith returning for another year, the offense should be among the country's most dangerous.

Smith, who is widely viewed as the best wide receiver in college football, is looking to turn in one more big campaign before taking his talents to the NFL in the 2027 draft.

During his freshman season, Smith racked up 76 receptions for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns. He followed those numbers up with 87 catches for 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2025.

Fans and most media analysts are expecting more of the same from Smith in 2026. However, there is one Big 10 running backs coach who has spoken out with bizarre shade directed at the dynamic wideout.

As shared by notable college football reporter Bruce Feldman, one Big 10 coach doesn't think Smith is the best wide receiver in the country.

“Not Jeremiah," the coach said. "Play Cover-2 over him and you take him out of the game. I think he’s closer to DK Metcalf than Jaxon Smith-Njigba.”

Everyone is certainly entitled to having their own opinion. However, the idea that simply playing Cover-2 on Smith takes him completely out of a game is flat-out wrong.

At the end of the day, Smith has had some games where he hasn't been as effective against certain coverages. That being said, when opposing defenses focus solely on taking him out of the game, other Ohio State playmakers are left open.

Sometimes, great players aren't great because of the numbers they always put up. They can also be great due to making players around them better.

Despite some of the outside noise, Smith is undoubtedly the best wide receiver in college football heading into the 2026 season. He has received a lot of projections to be a top-five pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.

Regardless of where he ends up being drafted, Ohio State is simply hopeful that it can send him off with another championship. Smith's play will be a big factor in deciding whether or not that happens.

Smith won't let comments like these affect him. Instead, he will simply turn it into extra motivation to be even better in what seems likely to be his final season with the Buckeyes.

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