NFL teams have likely fantasized over Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith as an NFL draft prospect since his freshman season. But is Smith eligible to be drafted in 2026?
Smith has been the top wide receiver option for Ohio State for two seasons, totaling 2,558 receiving yards and 27 receiving touchdowns. He has led the Big Ten conference in receiving yards in both seasons and is a two-time All-American, including a unanimous All-American honor in 2025.
In Ohio State’s national championship victory in 2025, Smith had five catches for 88 yards and a touchdown, including a 56-yard catch that sealed the Buckeyes’ victory over Notre Dame.
Smith could eventually join a list of 10 Ohio State wide receivers who have been selected in the first round of the NFL draft. Most recently, Smith’s former teammate Emeka Egbuka was picked 19th by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Is Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft?
No, Smith was not eligible to declare for the NFL draft in 2026.
According to the NFL football operations website, 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 to become draft eligible.
Smith did not redshirt his freshman season and is two years removed from high school, making him ineligible to declare in 2026.
When is Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith eligible for NFL draft?
Smith is eligible to declare for the NFL draft after the 2026 season, when he will be three years removed from high school.
Smith is being named as a top prospect in the 2027 NFL Draft. CBS Sports listed Smith at the top of his future starts list for the 2027 draft class, labeling it “one of the most talented draft classes in decades.”
