Sherrone Moore’s declaration may have stunned some fans, but those paying close attention to the evolving landscape of college football know it wasn’t just praise—it was a warning. When the Michigan head coach called Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith “probably the best college football player that’s out there,” he wasn’t exaggerating for headlines. He was acknowledging a reality that’s becoming increasingly obvious every time Smith steps on the field. For Michigan, for the Big Ten, and for every national title contender, Jeremiah Smith isn’t just another elite recruit—he’s a problem. A dangerous one.
Jeremiah Smith arrived at Ohio State already carrying the weight of sky-high expectations. The No. 1-ranked wide receiver in the country, a five-star out of Chaminade-Madonna in Florida, Smith turned heads across the recruiting trail for years. With elite size, uncanny athleticism, fluid route-running, and the ability to high-point the football in traffic, he looked like a future NFL star before he ever played a down of college football. What’s remarkable is how quickly he turned that potential into production. Most freshmen spend the spring and summer adjusting to the speed of the game. Smith? He arrived in Columbus and immediately looked like the best player on the field. Veterans marveled. Coaches whispered about his work ethic. Analysts stopped wondering if he’d break out and started asking how soon.
Sherrone Moore doesn’t hand out compliments easily. As the successor to Jim Harbaugh and the new leader of Michigan football, he’s tasked with upholding a standard that includes multiple Big Ten titles, a College Football Playoff win, and a culture of relentless physicality and mental toughness. So when Moore, a coach known for his focus and competitive fire, took a moment to speak glowingly about a rival player—especially one wearing scarlet and gray—it was no ordinary quote. It was a recognition of dominance.
The praise came after Michigan scouts and coaches got a long look at Ohio State’s offseason workouts and early summer scrimmages. And Jeremiah Smith didn’t just look ready—he looked unstoppable. Standing 6-foot-3 with elite burst and suddenness, he caught everything thrown his way, regardless of who was covering him. Even when going up against seasoned defensive backs and future NFL picks, Smith created separation. His routes were polished beyond his years, and his physicality at the point of attack was more reminiscent of a third-year SEC star than a true freshman. Moore’s reaction wasn’t just admiration. It was almost disbelief.
The last time a freshman receiver created this kind of stir at Ohio State, it was Marvin Harrison Jr.—and he didn’t even start right away. Smith’s rise has been even more immediate. His combination of physical tools, maturity, and understanding of the offense has put him in line to become the featured weapon in a Buckeyes passing attack that’s historically one of the most explosive in the country. And in a year when Ohio State is breaking in a new quarterback and looking to reclaim dominance over Michigan, Jeremiah Smith’s readiness could be the key that unlocks their entire offense.
It’s not just the Ohio State coaching staff that’s buzzing. NFL scouts have already begun whispering about his ceiling, comparing him to Julio Jones, A.J. Green, and even a young Larry Fitzgerald. The comparisons may feel premature—but only until you watch the film. He’s a player who doesn’t have a glaring weakness. He’s not just a deep threat. He’s not just a jump-ball guy. He can work the middle of the field, run crisp routes, block on the perimeter, and make contested catches in traffic. What makes him even scarier? He plays angry. There’s a competitive edge that oozes from every rep. Every route. Every snap. It’s the same killer instinct you see in elite NFL wideouts.
Michigan knows that kind of player when they see one. Last season, they built their success on dominant line play, a bruising run game, and one of the nastiest defenses in the country. They suffocated opposing offenses, bullied quarterbacks, and forced teams to play their style of football. But even the most physical defenses have to account for someone like Smith. You can press him at the line—he’ll beat it. You can roll coverage his way—he’ll find the soft spot. You can double him—and he’ll still make the play. If Ohio State’s quarterback this year, whether it’s Devin Brown or another rising talent, can get the ball near him, Smith will come down with it. That’s what makes him so terrifying.
For Michigan, the stakes are massive. After three straight wins over Ohio State, they finally flipped the rivalry on its head. But the scarlet and gray have been reloading quietly, and 2025 feels like a turning point. This isn’t just another matchup. It’s a battle for Big Ten supremacy, for CFP positioning, and for pride. And now, thanks to Smith, it may also be a battle against the most gifted offensive player in the country. Moore understands this better than anyone. That’s why he isn’t shying away from the challenge. Instead, he’s calling it like he sees it: Jeremiah Smith might already be the best college football player in America.
It’s not hyperbole. And it’s not just talent. What separates Smith is his preparation. He’s a film junkie. A relentless competitor. He studies opposing cornerbacks like a quarterback studies a defense. He asks coaches for extra reps. He treats every practice like a championship game. That mindset is infectious, and it’s part of why Ohio State has begun to rally around him as the emotional leader of the offense, even as a freshman. For a program that’s churned out star receivers year after year, from Garrett Wilson to Chris Olave to Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Marvin Harrison Jr., that’s saying something. They’ve never had a player this ready, this early.
Smith’s breakout comes at a crucial time for Ryan Day. After back-to-back losses to Michigan cost him potential titles and left Buckeyes fans restless, the pressure is on. There’s no more margin for error. No more time to wait on development. And no more patience from a fan base that expects playoff contention every single year. But Smith changes the equation. He’s not just a weapon. He’s the kind of player who forces defenses to change their identity. You can’t blitz recklessly. You can’t leave corners on an island. You can’t focus on stopping the run and hope to contain him with single coverage on the outside. He tilts the field.
Michigan’s defense, even with NFL-caliber talent across the board, will have its hands full. Will Johnson, the Wolverines’ elite cornerback, may draw the assignment. But even he has struggled against Smith in 7-on-7 sessions and joint practices. There’s a chess match brewing—and it’s one that could decide the outcome of The Game in November.
Meanwhile, in Columbus, the buzz is turning into belief. Inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, there’s a growing conviction that this season could be special. That they have the talent not only to beat Michigan but to run the table. And at the center of that belief is a teenager from Florida who’s already drawing comparisons to some of the greats. What makes Jeremiah Smith special isn’t just his talent. It’s that he knows it—and still works like he doesn’t.
Moore’s comment, while rooted in admiration, also reflected the new reality facing Michigan: the days of easy wins are over. If they want to beat Ohio State for a fourth straight year, they’ll need a new level of discipline, physicality, and creativity on defense. Because even a single lapse, a missed assignment, or a moment of hesitation could be all it takes for Jeremiah Smith to take over the game. And once he does, there might not be any stopping him.
There are certain players who define a season. Who shift the balance of power in rivalries. Who become the focal point of every opposing game plan. Jeremiah Smith is one of those players. He’s not just living up to the hype—he’s rewriting the standard. And with coaches like Sherrone Moore acknowledging it this early, it’s clear the rest of college football is already bracing for impact. Jeremiah Smith has arrived. And he’s coming for everyone.
