Ohio State's $4.2M WR Tops 2026 College Football Player Rankings

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Ohio State's .2M WR Tops 2026 College Football Player Rankings

The Ohio State Buckeyes are set to return a loaded offensive core in 2026, headlined by junior quarterback Julian Sayin.

Freshman standout Bo Jackson returns after a 1,000-yard rushing campaign, and anchoring OSU’s pass game will be wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, entering what could be his final college football season as the nation’s most decorated receiver.

Smith’s status as the Buckeyes’ go-to playmaker isn’t new, but expectations have only grown this offseason following the arrival of NFL-tested offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.

The junior wideout will have another chance to put up elite numbers in Ryan Day’s high-powered attack, thanks to Smith’s addition, assuming it clicks.

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

The Buckeyes hope the connection will be enough to return to the championship game after falling short in both the Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff last season.

Given Smith’s track record, that could easily be the case. Over two years in Columbus, Smith has established himself as one of the most impactful players in the sport.

Smith broke Ohio State’s freshman receiving records in 2024 with 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns on 76 receptions, and followed that up in 2025 with 87 catches for 1,243 yards and 12 scores.

The wideout led the Big Ten in yardage both seasons, had the most receptions in the conference last year, his 15 touchdowns in 2024 were the most in the Big Ten, and all of it earned Smith unanimous All-America honors last fall.

Now, he’s projected as the next first-round wideout to come out of Ohio State, and already profiled as the absolute best player entering the 2026 college football season, according to On3’s Clark Brooks.

“No debate on this one. Jeremiah Smith is Him. He’s the boss, head man, top dog, big cheese, head honcho in our Impact Rankings for the second-straight season,” Brooks wrote. “His prototypical 6-foot-3, 225-pound build noticeably comes in handy bullying defensive backs and coming down with key completions.”

Brooks pointed to Smith’s deep threat efficiency and physical traits as the primary reasons for his No.1 selection.

“Smith generated the fourth-most deep yards (536) despite fielding over a dozen fewer targets than the dudes in the top three,” Brooks wrote. “His combination of stature, speed, and skill is undeniably impactful.”

The junior receiver is widely expected to be a top NFL Draft pick next April. His reported NIL valuation sits at $4.2 million, the highest among all wide receivers in college football and second-highest among all football players.

Ohio State will open the season with Smith, Sayin, Jackson, and multiple returning starters on the offensive line in a matchup against Ball State on Sept. 5.

Related: There’s A New No. 1 Team In Updated 2026 College Football Rankings

Related: Texas, Steve Sarkisian Land Most Players on Early 2026 College Football All-American Team

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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