When is Jeremiah Smith eligible for NFL draft? Ohio State WR already a top talent

It did not matter that Jeremiah Smith was only a freshman for Ohio State football last season.

Smith quickly became the go-to target for quarterback Will Howard at a school that has pumped out wide receiver talent into the NFL for the last couple of decades. Despite it being his first year at the collegiate level, Smith bested likely 2025 first-round pick Emeka Egbuka in yards, touchdowns and yards per catch.

REQUIRED READING: Ohio State football spring transfer tracker 2025: Latest portal news, updates

With 1,315 receiving yards, Smith also finished fourth in receiving yards in all of college football, 4 yards behind another potential first-round pick in Arizona State receiver Tetairoa McMillan. If Smith were in the 2025 NFL draft, he likely would push McMillan and Colorado’s Travis Hunter as the first receiver off the board.

Of course, Smith isn’t eligible for the 2025 draft. Nor is he eligible in 2026. Here’s what you need to know about Smith’s eligibility for the NFL draft:

When is Jeremiah Smith eligible for the NFL draft?

Smith will be eligible to enter the 2027 NFL draft, which is the first year he can declare for it.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound receiver has three years of eligibility left with Ohio State, but can go pro following his junior season. Despite finishing his true freshman season with 76 catches for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns, Smith will still have to prove himself at the college level for two more seasons.

Smith had his biggest game of his career with seven receptions for 187 yards and two touchdowns in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against No. 1 Oregon, proving he was already an elite talent as a freshman.

NFL draft eligibility rules

A player must be at least three years removed from high school to be eligible for the NFL draft, according to NFL Operations. So, as a rising sophomore, Smith is not eligible for this year’s draft. However, he will be eligible for the 2027 draft after he finishes his junior season with the Buckeyes.

“To be eligible for the draft, players must have been out of high school for at least three years and must have used up their college eligibility before the start of the next college football season. Underclassmen and players who have graduated before using all their college eligibility may request the league’s approval to enter the draft early.

“Players are draft-eligible only in the year after the end of their college eligibility.”

Jeremiah Smith mock draft

Smith won’t be eligible for the draft for another couple years, but it’s never too early to wonder where he might be selected. NFL sources told ESPN on April 14 that Smith, this year, would be a top-five draft pick.

“The fact you’re that big, move that fluidly, then have the body control to adjust your body to make these ridiculous catches — it’s just, check, check, check,” an NFC personnel executive told ESPN.

Jeremiah Smith stats at Ohio State

Here’s a game-by-game breakdown of Smith’s stats with Ohio State in his first year in college. In 16 games ― including the College Football Playoffs ― Smith finished with 76 receptions for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns. Smith had five 100-yard receiving games, including twice in the postseason:

• vs. Akron: Six receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns
• vs. Western Michigan: Five receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown
• vs. Marshall: Three receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown
• at Michigan State: Five receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown; One rush for 19 yards and a touchdown
• vs. Iowa: Four receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown; One rush for 14 yards
• at Oregon: Nine receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown
• vs. Nebraska: Three receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown
• at Penn State: Four receptions for 55 yards
• vs. Purdue: Six receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown
• at Northwestern: Four receptions for 100 yards; One rush for two yards
• vs. Indiana: Three receptions for 34 yards; One rush for 12 yards
• vs. Michigan: Five receptions for 25 yards and a touchdown
• vs. Tennessee (College Football Playoff first-round): Six receptions for 103 yards and two touchdowns
• vs. Oregon (CFP quarterfinals): Seven receptions for 187 yards and two touchdowns; One rush for five yards
• vs. Texas (CFP semifinal): One reception for three yards
• vs. Notre Dame (CFP championship): Five receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown; One rush for -5 yards

This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.