As dominant as Jeremiah Smith has been through his first two-plus seasons in Columbus, there’s an uncomfortable reality every Ohio State fan eventually has to sit with: he won’t be there forever. With Smith widely projected as a potential No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick as soon as next spring, Ohio State’s coaching staff isn’t waiting around to figure out life after Smith — they’re already building it, one recruiting class at a time.
Just How Soon Could Jeremiah Smith Actually Leave?
Smith is currently a junior, which means he’s eligible to declare for the 2027 NFL Draft after this season if he chooses to. Given his trajectory — he was already the highest-ranked wide receiver recruit of the modern recruiting era, and he’s spent the past two-plus seasons rewriting Ohio State’s record book — it’s entirely plausible he’s playing his final season in Columbus right now. Some analysts have even floated the idea that Smith could become the first non-quarterback selected with the No. 1 overall pick since the New York Jets took Keyshawn Johnson in 1996, which gives you a sense of just how historically rare his talent is viewed to be.
Whether that departure comes after this season or he returns for one more year, Ohio State’s staff knows the clock is ticking, and the program’s recent approach to recruiting makes clear they’re already preparing for it.
Ohio State’s Track Record of Reloading at Receiver
If there’s one position group Ohio State fans have real reason to feel confident about, it’s wide receiver. The Buckeyes have had a wide receiver selected in the first round of the NFL Draft in four consecutive years, and that streak is expected to extend to five straight with Carnell Tate’s recent departure. Few, if any, programs in the country can match that level of sustained receiver production, and it’s exactly why Ohio State remains one of the most attractive landing spots for elite receiver recruits year after year.
The Internal Candidates: Who’s Already on the Roster
The most immediate answer to “who replaces Jeremiah Smith” may already be sitting on Ohio State’s current roster. Five-star true freshman Chris Henry Jr. arrived in Columbus with a pedigree that suggests he’s capable of becoming the next face of the receiver room. He’s already gotten real reps alongside Smith and veteran Brandon Inniss this season, giving him valuable experience before he’s ever asked to be the No. 1 option.
But Henry Jr. isn’t the only name in the mix. Fellow true freshman Brock Boyd, out of Texas, turned heads with his effectiveness during spring practice and has continued carving out a role as the season has progressed. Rather than a single clear heir apparent, Ohio State may be building toward a two-headed solution at the position — a tandem of talented, direct recruits who split the target share Smith currently commands almost entirely on his own.
The Future Pipeline: Who Ohio State Is Recruiting Right Now
Beyond the current roster, Ohio State’s coaching staff — led by first-year wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton — has made it clear the receiver pipeline isn’t slowing down, even with Brian Hartline’s departure to take the head coaching job at South Florida.
In the 2027 recruiting class, Ohio State has already landed five-star wide receiver Jamier Brown, the No. 2 overall wide receiver prospect in the class according to recruiting rankings. The Buckeyes also added five-star slot receiver Eric McFarland III, known for his ability to create big plays after the catch. Notably, Ohio State lost out on another top target, five-star Monshun Sales, who instead committed to Indiana — a reminder that even Ohio State’s receiver pipeline isn’t guaranteed to land every elite prospect it pursues.
Looking further ahead to the 2028 class, Ohio State has already secured a commitment from five-star wide receiver Jett Harrison, the younger brother of former Buckeye star Marvin Harrison Jr. That commitment extended an extraordinary streak: Ohio State has now landed a five-star wide receiver in six consecutive recruiting classes, and nine out of its last ten classes dating back to 2019. The Buckeyes are also in strong position for Braylon Clark, a five-star 2028 receiver who has reportedly told recruiting analysts Ohio State has been the program recruiting him the hardest — with Ohio State even using in-person visits to show him exactly what it looks like to develop next to a “monster” like Jeremiah Smith.
There’s also an intriguing family connection brewing: Angelo Smith, Jeremiah’s younger brother, committed to Ohio State in the 2027 class as a defensive back — not a receiver himself, but a sign of just how deeply the Smith family’s trust in the program runs.
Why Ohio State’s Approach to This Transition Is Different From Most Programs
What makes Ohio State’s situation unique isn’t just the individual talent they’re bringing in — it’s the sheer volume and consistency of it. Most college programs would consider landing one five-star receiver every few cycles a major recruiting win. Ohio State has made it close to an annual occurrence. That depth means the drop-off after Smith leaves is unlikely to be the kind of talent cliff many programs would face after losing a generational player. Instead, Ohio State’s model is built around the assumption that there’s always another elite receiver already in the pipeline, absorbing reps and building chemistry before they’re ever asked to be the focal point.
What Ohio State’s Offense Might Look Like in the Post-Smith Era
Based on the current trajectory, the most likely outcome isn’t a single, obvious “next Jeremiah Smith” stepping in to replicate his exact production. It’s more probable that Ohio State’s passing attack becomes more distributed in the near term — leaning on a combination of Chris Henry Jr., Brock Boyd, and whichever of the incoming 2027 or 2028 recruits develop fastest, rather than funneling the offense through one dominant target the way it has with Smith. Over time, as those recruits gain experience, it’s entirely possible one of them — Jamier Brown or Eric McFarland III among the most likely candidates — eventually grows into that same program-defining role Smith currently occupies.
The Bottom Line for Ohio State Fans
Losing a player as singularly dominant as Jeremiah Smith would be a significant blow for almost any program in the country. But Ohio State’s aggressive, sustained recruiting at the position four straight first-round receivers, a five-star in six consecutive classes, and multiple blue-chip pledges already on the board for 2027 and 2028 — suggests the Buckeyes are about as well-positioned as any team in college football to absorb that loss without missing a beat. Smith’s departure, whenever it comes, will undoubtedly mark the end of an era in Columbus. But if recent history is any indication, Ohio State’s next great receiver might already be on campus, or committed and simply waiting for his turn.
Discover more from Allsportsreports
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
