CBS Sports analyst and former NFL running back Damien Harris has suggested that Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith should end his 2026 season early to focus on preparing for the 2027 NFL Draft, where he is projected as the top overall prospect.
Harris Urges Smith to Sit Out
Following Ohio State's 41-28 loss to No. 23 Oregon on Saturday, which dropped the Buckeyes to three losses with three games remaining, Harris stated on CBS Sports' postgame show that Smith has "nothing to gain" and "everything to lose" by continuing to play. Smith recorded seven catches for 133 yards and a touchdown in the defeat. Harris emphasized that the Buckeyes are no longer in contention for a College Football Playoff berth or a Big Ten Championship, and that Smith has already secured his legacy with program records for receptions, touchdowns, and receiving yards, plus a national championship as a freshman in 2024.
Smith's Accomplishments and Draft Stock
One of college football's highest-paid players — he reportedly turned down a $10 million offer to transfer to Miami — Smith entered the week as a Heisman Trophy frontrunner and ranks second nationally in receiving yards per game. He is also a strong candidate for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation's best receiver, a title he has unofficially held for three seasons. However, his Heisman odds have weakened after Ohio State's second consecutive loss, and the team's starting quarterback Julian Sayin suffered a season-ending injury earlier in the year.
Remaining Schedule and Precedent
Ohio State has three games left, including the rivalry matchup against Michigan. While elite college players have increasingly skipped postseason games in recent years, few have shut down before the end of the regular season. Harris, who won multiple national championships at Alabama under Nick Saban and played five NFL seasons, argued that the current NIL era makes college football more similar to the NFL, where players do not sit out when eliminated from playoff contention due to contract structures that safeguard against sit-outs.
