NFL Exec: Jeremiah Smith 'Built in a Lab,' May Be 'Most Advanced ...
At least one NFL executive is calling Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith potentially the "most advanced receiver" ever for his age, according to Fox Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
"To be so young and so technically sound, then you add the physical tools and things get pretty freaky. Like some built in a lab stuff," one exec said, per Schultz.
The 6'3" wide receiver is a freshman and in his first year with Ohio State, he is turning heads as their go-to juggernaut on the field, connecting with quarterback Will Howard seamlessly.
On 63 receptions entering Wednesday's Rose Bowl, Smith had recorded 1,037 yards with 12 touchdowns, adding 47 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown, all without fumbling.
Smith broke the freshman records for receptions, yards and touchdowns at Ohio State, surpassing former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cris Carter, who set the records in 1984.
In Ohio's first possession agains the Ducks during the Rose Bowl on Wednesday, he set the single-season conference record for the most receiving touchdowns by a freshman with 13 total, according to Fox Sports.
His teammates are no strangers to the elevated level at which Smith plays, with Ohio cornerback Denzel Burke offering high praise for the freshman.
"He'll probably be the best receiver to come through here," Burke said, per Fox Sports. "He's already on that verge, so really happy for him."
The senior cornerback has witnessed plenty of roster transitions throughout his four years and has played alongside some notable receivers at Ohio, including several current NFL players.
"I've seen a lot of great receivers," Burke added. "I've seen Garrett. I've seen Jaxon, seen Chris. I've seen Marvin Harrison — he was my class, too. So just being able to see that and being able to see those qualities in him. But he's Jeremiah Smith. He's a whole different person, so that's awesome."