In a year already brimming with electric talent and game-changing athletes, ESPN has crowned Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith as the most impactful player in college football for the 2025 season. The distinction comes amid a crowded field of elite contenders, including South Carolina’s duo Dylan Stewart and LaNorris Sellers, Alabama freshman sensation Ryan Williams, Texas stars Collins Simons and Arch Manning, and Notre Dame’s defensive standouts Leonard Moore and Sam Leavitt.
Smith, the former No. 1 overall recruit in the Class of 2024, has emerged not just as a difference-maker on the field, but also as a symbol of Ohio State’s offensive renaissance under head coach Ryan Day. With the Buckeyes poised for a College Football Playoff run, Smith’s rise couldn’t come at a more crucial time.
Jeremiah Smith: A Star Ascending in Columbus
When Jeremiah Smith committed to Ohio State, fans expected greatness. What they didn’t expect was how quickly he’d deliver it.
Standing at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds with elite speed, crisp route-running, and strong hands, Smith has become quarterback Will Howard’s top target in spring camp and will likely open the season as WR1 for a Buckeyes team with national championship aspirations.
ESPN’s analysis of Smith’s early impact noted his “NFL-ready maturity,” both in his play and preparation. “There’s a Marvin Harrison Jr. quality to him,” one scout said, referencing the Buckeyes’ former All-American. “Smith isn’t just talented—he’s polished beyond his years.”
In just his first few months on campus, Smith dominated the spring game with 7 catches for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns. Coaches marveled at his ability to create separation, read defenses, and elevate teammates. He’s a wide receiver in body, but a playmaker with the influence of a quarterback.
Beating Out the Best: ESPN’s Top Contenders
Smith’s recognition came at the expense of several other highly-touted names—each making their own case to define the 2025 college football season. Here’s a breakdown of the other top players on ESPN’s “Impact List” and what makes them special:
Dylan Stewart, Edge, South Carolina
Former five-star edge rusher Dylan Stewart is the face of Shane Beamer’s defensive resurgence at South Carolina. At 6-foot-5, 245 pounds, Stewart wreaked havoc as a true freshman and has already drawn comparisons to former Gamecocks legend Jadeveon Clowney.
His blend of speed, power, and discipline makes him nearly unblockable. Stewart enters 2025 with 12.5 career sacks and is on track to become a top-10 NFL Draft pick.
LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
If Stewart dominates on defense, LaNorris Sellers is the firepower on offense. The dual-threat quarterback is drawing national attention for his leadership, poise, and big-play ability. Sellers accounted for 3,700 total yards and 32 touchdowns in 2024 and is projected to be a Heisman dark horse in 2025.
With Stewart and Sellers on either side of the ball, South Carolina has its most balanced and dangerous roster in recent memory.
Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama
Freshman Ryan Williams shocked the recruiting world when he reclassified to join Alabama early—and he’s lived up to every bit of the hype. In Alabama’s new-look offense under Kalen DeBoer, Williams is expected to play a Jalen McMillan-esque role with added explosiveness.
His game is built on speed and agility, with the ability to stretch the field and turn short passes into touchdowns. DeBoer called him “a program-changer” this spring, and the SEC is on notice.
Collins Simons, DE, Texas
Texas defensive end Collins Simons is a nightmare for opposing linemen. A relentless motor and advanced technique allow him to consistently get into the backfield. Simons recorded 10 sacks in 2024 and was named a first-team All-Big 12 selection.
Now part of the SEC, Simons will test his skills against elite competition every week. If he continues to produce, he’ll cement himself as a top-five pick.
Arch Manning, QB, Texas
No name garners more attention than Arch Manning, and now, entering his second season as Texas’ starter, the expectations are sky-high. Manning led the Longhorns to an 11-2 record last year and has improved dramatically in terms of decision-making and deep-ball accuracy.
Manning’s leadership and poise in big games make him an MVP-level presence, and ESPN ranked him as the most valuable quarterback entering 2025 after Caleb Williams and Drake Maye exited for the NFL.
Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
Moore is the definition of a lockdown corner. At 6-foot-1 with elite footwork and ball skills, Leonard Moore shut down opposing WR1s all season long. He leads a Notre Dame defense that ranked top-10 nationally in 2024 and is expected to be even better this year under Marcus Freeman.
Moore recorded 5 interceptions and 14 pass deflections last year, and NFL scouts have him on their shortlist of top corners in the country.
Sam Leavitt, LB, Notre Dame
On the second level of Notre Dame’s defense stands Sam Leavitt, a ferocious linebacker who led the team in tackles in 2024. His sideline-to-sideline range, football IQ, and ability to cover tight ends make him one of the most versatile defenders in the nation.
Paired with Moore, Leavitt gives the Irish a defense capable of stopping any offense they’ll face in the College Football Playoff race.
Why ESPN Chose Jeremiah Smith
So why did ESPN elevate Smith above such a stacked group of contenders?
The answer lies in the word impact.
Smith is more than just a wide receiver—he’s the offensive engine for one of the most prominent programs in the country. With question marks surrounding the Ohio State run game and a reshuffled offensive line, Smith offers the most reliable path to explosive plays. His presence opens up the field for other receivers, tight ends, and the run game.
He also has the rare ability to shift momentum instantly. In scrimmages and drills, Ohio State coaches have noted that defenders gravitate toward Smith, and yet, he still finds ways to make plays.
More than just talent, ESPN was drawn to his leadership. “You’d think he was a senior captain,” one assistant coach said. “The way younger players watch him—he sets the standard.”
The Road Ahead for Smith and Ohio State
Ohio State opens the 2025 season against UCF before hosting SEC power Texas A&M in Week 2—a game that could define the early playoff picture.
If Smith continues his spring dominance, he’ll enter the Heisman conversation by October. With matchups against Michigan, Penn State, and USC on the calendar, he’ll have every opportunity to prove ESPN right.
The Buckeyes are banking on Smith to be their version of DeVonta Smith or Ja’Marr Chase—a game-breaking receiver who can carry the offense on his shoulders in critical moments. And if the spring and summer are any indication, he’s more than ready for the role.
What This Means for College Football
The elevation of a wide receiver to the top of ESPN’s impact rankings reflects a shift in college football’s offensive landscape. In a game once dominated by quarterbacks and running backs, elite receivers like Jeremiah Smith are becoming the focal point of modern schemes.
It also suggests that the 2025 season will not be defined by one dominant team, but by individual stars who can swing a game, a drive, or a moment.
From Stewart and Sellers in Columbia to Manning and Simons in Austin, the nation’s best will chase Smith’s spotlight—but for now, the brightest light in college football shines in Columbus.
Final Thoughts
Jeremiah Smith’s rise from elite high school prospect to college football’s most impactful player has been both fast and ferocious. As he enters his true freshman season, he carries the weight of expectations from a fanbase desperate to return to national title glory.
But if anyone is built for the moment, it’s Jeremiah Smith.
ESPN’s ranking is a bold statement, but one rooted in film, facts, and potential. If Smith delivers on the field this fall the way he has in practice, we may be witnessing the emergence of one of college football’s next all-time greats.