Arch Manning and Jeremiah Smith have been generating considerable buzz in the college football world for quite some time now, and their recent inclusion in Joel Klatt’s top five players to watch for the 2025 season has only amplified the excitement. Klatt, a respected analyst known for his sharp evaluations and willingness to go against the grain, offered a compelling breakdown of why these two rising stars could end up redefining the 2025 season. What makes this so intriguing is not just their individual talent, but also the broader narrative they are each stepping into as part of college football’s next wave of icons. For Manning, the weight of a legendary name and the heightened expectations that come with it have followed him since high school. For Smith, the bar is sky-high after one of the most dominant prep wide receiver careers in recent memory. Their paths are very different, but they intersect now under the same spotlight—Joel Klatt’s list of players who are poised to change the game.
Arch Manning has never been an ordinary prospect. With the Manning name stitched into football history thanks to Peyton and Eli, the expectations placed upon Arch have always teetered between astronomical and unfair. However, Klatt’s faith in him speaks volumes—not because of the name, but because of what Arch has started to show beyond the hype. He spent much of his freshman year learning from the sidelines behind Quinn Ewers at Texas, absorbing the playbook, adjusting to the college game, and working on mechanics with the Longhorns’ staff. Reports out of Austin this offseason suggest that he’s taken a massive step forward in his maturity, pocket awareness, and overall command of the offense. While he doesn’t possess the same arm talent as Uncle Peyton or the off-script magic of Uncle Eli in his prime, Arch offers a balanced, cerebral approach that combines leadership, smart decision-making, and just enough athleticism to be dangerous outside the pocket. His rise hasn’t been meteoric, but it has been steady, methodical, and now, potentially explosive.
Klatt’s ranking of Manning in the top five isn’t just based on promise—it’s a prediction that 2025 will be the year Arch Manning steps into full control of the Texas offense and delivers on the potential that made him one of the most hyped recruits in recent memory. And it couldn’t come at a better time. The Longhorns are entering the SEC full-time with the need for a clear identity, and Manning—if he can rise to the challenge—may be the quarterback to give it to them. Klatt pointed out that Manning’s football IQ is already off the charts, and with the weapons Texas is returning in their skill positions, this could be the season where he orchestrates one of the more potent offenses in college football. The hype is real, but this time, the tools are there to justify it. Klatt sees this season not as a test for Manning, but as a coronation—if he seizes it.
While Arch Manning brings the prestige of a name and the allure of potential, Jeremiah Smith enters 2025 with raw dominance and expectations of immediate production. Smith, a wide receiver for Ohio State, has drawn comparisons to some of the best in the sport even before stepping onto the field. A five-star recruit who made headlines throughout his senior high school season with jaw-dropping plays and unmatched physical tools, Smith is widely considered one of the most “college-ready” receivers to come out of the prep ranks in years. At 6’3” and over 200 pounds with elite speed, Smith doesn’t just look the part—he plays it with a ferocity and precision that reminds scouts of Julio Jones and A.J. Green in their primes. Joel Klatt’s placement of Smith in his top five for 2025 is a bold call, considering the freshman has yet to play a down of college football. But it’s not just about highlight tape—it’s about situation and ceiling.
Ohio State’s reputation for producing elite receivers is well-documented, from Michael Thomas and Terry McLaurin to Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, and Marvin Harrison Jr. Smith steps into that lineage with every opportunity to be the next great Buckeye pass catcher. With a young quarterback likely to take the reins and a coaching staff that has built its offense around the explosive downfield passing game, Smith could easily become the go-to guy from Week 1. What Klatt understands—and what makes this inclusion especially insightful—is that Smith’s blend of size, strength, route-running, and hands is so advanced that his learning curve might be unusually short. Smith has shown in high school that he can out-muscle, out-run, and out-think defenders at all levels. There’s no reason to believe that won’t translate quickly to the collegiate level, especially at a place like Ohio State, where the passing game is always emphasized and polished to perfection.
Klatt also highlighted the mental aspect of Smith’s game, calling him a “natural competitor” who elevates his teammates and demands excellence. This type of mentality is crucial at a place like Ohio State, where the pressure to perform and the talent surrounding you can either fuel your growth or bury you on the depth chart. Smith isn’t just physically ready—he’s emotionally and mentally aligned with the expectations of big-time college football. Klatt’s prediction is that by midseason, Smith won’t just be Ohio State’s top receiver; he might be one of the most talked-about players in the entire nation. It’s rare for a freshman to break into such a list, but Klatt sees Smith’s entry into the top five as a reflection of where the sport is headed: more explosive, more versatile, and more reliant on young stars who can handle the moment.
The inclusion of both Arch Manning and Jeremiah Smith in Klatt’s list reveals something deeper about the current state of college football. It’s a sport increasingly defined by elite talent stepping into big roles earlier than ever before. The transfer portal, NIL deals, and the acceleration of player development mean that the old rules—waiting two or three years for your turn—don’t always apply anymore. Players like Manning and Smith are symbols of a new era: they’re polished, media-savvy, and relentlessly trained from high school onward. They enter the college game not as blank slates but as ready-made brands, already shaped by national attention and the expectations of greatness. Joel Klatt’s rankings recognize this transformation. It’s not just about who’s the best junior or senior—it’s about who’s ready to make the biggest impact, right now.
What also stands out is the contrast in their developmental journeys. Manning has taken a more traditional route, waiting in the wings, learning the system, developing under pressure but with patience. Smith, on the other hand, has the look of an immediate game-changer, someone who could shatter expectations right out of the gate. Yet both represent elite talent funneled through two powerhouse programs, with coaches who understand how to manage both the spotlight and the strategy. Klatt’s selections are not just based on physical tools, but on situation, coaching fit, and the players’ own hunger to be great. It’s an approach that values context as much as potential—and it makes his top five list not only a prediction but a blueprint for where college football stars are born.
Beyond the field, both players are poised to shape narratives off of it as well. Arch Manning, with his calm demeanor and thoughtful presence, is already something of a statesman for the college game. The way he carries himself, avoids drama, and focuses on team-first goals has drawn praise from coaches and teammates alike. Jeremiah Smith brings a different kind of charisma—fiery, intense, and brimming with energy. His social media presence is vibrant, his interviews are passionate, and his confidence is contagious. These two figures, despite their different temperaments, both represent the kind of next-generation leadership that can elevate not just a program, but the entire college football conversation. Klatt’s recognition of that speaks to a broader awareness that football, especially at this level, is as much about character and poise as it is about touchdowns and trophies.
Looking forward to the 2025 season, it’s hard to overstate the impact that Arch Manning and Jeremiah Smith could have. For Texas, Manning’s emergence could signal a return to national prominence, a revival of the Longhorn brand not just in the SEC but across all of college football. For Ohio State, Smith could be the next in a growing dynasty of elite receivers, a weapon that defines games and terrifies defenses from coast to coast. Joel Klatt’s top five list might have sparked debates—there are always snubs and surprise inclusions—but few can argue with the potential of these two future stars. If anything, the 2025 season might be remembered as the moment when both players took the leap from “highly-touted recruit” to household name.
There’s something poetic about their rise happening simultaneously. Different paths, different styles, but the same spotlight and the same stakes. It’s the perfect recipe for a college football season that feels rich with possibility. Klatt, in identifying Manning and Smith as top five players, isn’t just pointing to who might put up numbers—he’s pointing to who might shape the very story of the sport this year. And if their offseason trajectory is any indication, both Arch Manning and Jeremiah Smith are ready to turn that story into something unforgettable.
