Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith catches 4 passes for 123 yards and 2 TDs in first 12 minutes

Published September 26, 2026 12:47 PM Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is considered by many the most talented prospect in the 2027 NFL draft, and he’s showing why today against Illinois.Less than 12 minutes into the first quarter, Smith already has four catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Ohio State has a 14-0 lead, as its first possession ended with a seven-yard Smith touchdown and its second possession ended with a 72-yard Smith touchdown.Although the first overall pick in the draft is usually a quarterback, Smith may have a legitimate chance of going first overall next year, especially if the team with the first pick already has a young quarterback in place. Smith’s odds to go first overall are currently at +900, ranking fifth in the betting odds behind Texas quarterback Arch Manning, Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, Notre Dame quarterback C.J. Carr and Miami quarterback Darian Mensah.Ohio State has done an astonishing job of recruiting wide receiver talent: In the last five NFL drafts, Ohio State has had six first-round wide receivers, with Carnell Tate, Emeka Egbuka, Marvin Harrison Jr., Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave all going in the first round. Smith might be the most talented of all of them. He’s something special.