Smith Headlines Impressive Wideout Group

by Bo Marchionte
@bomarchionte | College2Pro.com
Published May 8, 2026, 7:49 AM

Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State

  • Height: 6’3
  • Weight: 223
  • Games: 29
  • Receiving Yards: 2,558
  • Touchdowns: 27
  • Receptions: 163

 

The Next Calvin Johnson

On his Ohio State bio page, it notes that he became the fastest player in program history to reach 1,500 career receiving yards, doing so in just 19 games. At most schools, that would be an impressive footnote. At Ohio State a legitimate NFL wide receiver factory it carries far more weight. The Buckeyes continue to produce first-round talent at the position, and Smith’s immediate impact in Columbus has been nothing short of dominant.

Entering the 2027 NFL Draft cycle, Smith will likely be viewed by many evaluators as the top overall talent available regardless of position. However, as history reminds us, quarterbacks almost always occupy the premium spots at the top of the draft board.

Scouting Report

Physically, Smith looks more like a modern-day linebacker aligned outside the numbers than a traditional wide receiver. He possesses a rare blend of mass, length, and play strength, while still carrying the movement skills of a premier perimeter target. He thrives through contact and consistently finishes plays with a punishing mentality after the catch.

Smith is advanced as a route runner for a bigger-bodied receiver. He does an excellent job stemming defenders vertically and manipulating leverage early in the route. His initial burst off the line forces corners to open prematurely, and he pairs that with subtle tempo changes and violent directional shifts to separate at the breakpoint. Defensive backs routinely find themselves out of phase once Smith gets into his route structure.

At the catch point, he consistently plays above the rim. Smith attacks the football with strong hands, outstanding timing, and elite body control, routinely winning in contested-catch situations. His catch radius immediately expands the quarterback’s margin for error. There are occasional concentration drops on routine throws, but they are outweighed by his ability to finish difficult receptions in traffic.

As a blocker, Smith is functional but not yet consistently dominant. The same physicality and edge he displays after the catch doesn’t always translate when engaging defenders in the run game. The tools are there for him to become a far more imposing presence as a perimeter blocker once the urgency and consistency improve.

Last Five Ohio State Receivers Drafted

  • 2026: Carnell Tate, First Round, 4th Overall
  • 2025: Emeka Eguka, First Round, 19th Overall
  • 2024: Marvin Harrison, First Round, 4th Overall
  • 2023: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, First Round, 20th Overall
  • 2022: Garrett Wilson, First Round, 10th Overall
  • 2022: Chris Olave, First Round, 11th Overall

Cam Coleman, Texas

  • Height: 6’3
  • Weight: 201
  • Games: 23
  • Receiving Yards: 1,306
  • Touchdowns: 13
  • Receptions: 93

Manning to Coleman in 2026

Everyone is going to be treated to the Ohio State pairing of quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith this fall. Another duo pushing for top billing as the nation’s best, however, will be Arch Manning and his new target, Coleman, who arrives in Austin after spending two seasons at Auburn.

While Coleman’s production doesn’t currently mirror what Smith has accomplished at Ohio State, there’s still plenty for Longhorn fans to be excited about. The traits, athletic profile, and flashes on tape suggest a player capable of becoming one of the more dangerous playmakers in the country once fully integrated into the Texas offense.

Scouting Report

Coleman possesses the long, well-built frame NFL evaluators covet at the position and immediately looks the part stepping off the bus. What consistently jumps off the tape is his refusal to go down on initial contact. Whether it was his hurdle against Ball State in Week 2 or the violent stiff-arm that planted South Alabama linebacker C. Caldwell into the turf, Coleman runs with edge, balance, and finishes.

For a longer receiver, his movement skills are impressive. Coleman is fluid in transition and glides through his route tree with minimal wasted motion. He does a good job sinking his hips at the top of routes and shows enough body control to separate despite not being a pure burner. He presents a quarterback-friendly target, routinely working back toward the football and helping clean up passing windows.

Coleman shows no hesitation working the middle of the field and displays strong concentration in traffic. Once the ball is secured, his lateral quickness and short-area twitch stand out for a player with his size profile. He can make the first defender miss and quickly transition from possession target to run-after-catch threat.

Jeremiah Smith’s rare physical profile will deservedly keep him in the spotlight as the premier receiver in the class, but Coleman is very much a legitimate NFL-caliber talent in his own right. The ceiling is high, and with Manning delivering the football, his national profile could rise quickly in 2026.

Last Five Longhorns Receivers Drafted

  • 2025: Matthew Golden, First Round, 23rd Overall
  • 2024: Xavier Worthy, First Round, 28th Overall
  • 2024: Adonai Mitchell, Second Round, 52nd Overall
  • 2024: Jordan Whittington, Sixth Round, 213th Overall
  • 2020: Devin Duvernay, Second Round, 92nd Overall
  • 2020: Collin Johnson, Fifth Round, 165th Overall

Ryan Coleman-Williams, Alabama

  • Height: 6’1
  • Weight: 182
  • Games: 27
  • Receiving Yards: 1,554
  • Touchdowns: 12
  • Receptions: 97

Must Boost His Junior Numbers

Coleman-Williams arrived in Tuscaloosa as one of the more polished receivers in his recruiting class and wasted little time making an impact. As a freshman, he led Alabama in both receiving yards (865) and touchdown receptions (8) while appearing in 13 games, flashing the route discipline and ball skills that made him a highly regarded prospect coming out of high school.

His sophomore campaign, however, lacked the same level of production. Despite playing an additional game, Williams’ numbers dipped to 689 receiving yards and four touchdowns. While the efficiency and flashes remained evident on tape, evaluators will want to see him take another developmental jump during his junior season, particularly with a loaded 2027 NFL Draft receiver class continuing to emerge nationally.

The traits are still there for Williams to remain firmly in the upper tier of draftable receivers, but increased consistency, explosive play production, and a larger overall offensive impact will be important checkpoints entering 2026.

Scouting Report

Lean-framed receiver with a wiry build similar to Philadelphia Eagles DeVonta Smith, winning more with timing, body control, and technical refinement than pure play strength. Natural hands catcher who consistently extends away from his frame and secures the football cleanly through contact. Shows smooth coordination from catch to transition, allowing him to get vertical efficiently after the reception without wasted movement.

Operates best as a possession-oriented slot target who can uncover versus zone coverage and work the intermediate areas of the field. Displays good spatial awareness, understanding leverage and settling into soft windows. Route pacing and tempo are average. Not a true burner and does not possess high-end explosiveness out of breaks, which can limit his ability to consistently stack defenders vertically or generate easy separation against longer, more physical corners on the perimeter. More fluid than dynamic athletically.

Competitive demeanor shows up in the run game, where he works with urgency and willingness as a blocker. Doesn’t shy away from contact and consistently looks to sustain assignments despite his lighter frame. Overall, Coleman-Williams projects as a polished, high-IQ receiver whose ceiling will largely depend on continued physical development and expanded playmaking production. Arrows down at this point.

Last Five Crimson Tide Receivers Drafted

  • 2026: Germie Bernard, Second Round, 47th Overall
  • 2024: Jermaine Burton, Third Round, 80th Overall
  • 2022: Jameson Williams, First Round, 12th Overall
  • 2022: John Metchie, Second Round, 44th Overall
  • 2021: Jameson Williams, First Round, 6th Overall
  • 2021: DeVonta Smith, First Round, 10th Overall

Nyck Harbor, South Carolina

  • Height: 6’5
  • Weight: 235
  • Games: 36
  • Receiving Yards: 1,189
  • Touchdowns: 10
  • Receptions: 68

Untapped Potential for Harbor

South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers is viewed as one of the premier quarterback prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft, and Harbor is expected to remain his primary target moving forward. Built with a modern-day tight end frame at 6-foot-5, 235 pounds, Harbor finished fifth nationally among qualifying FBS receivers in yards per reception, averaging an explosive 20.6 yards per catch during the 2025 season.

The combination of size and athletic upside is what makes Harbor such an intriguing projection. According to 247Sports, Harbor was clocked at 22.4 MPH during the 2025 season, making him the fastest player in college football.

Scouting Report

Harbor is not as polished overall as Jeremiah Smith or Cam Coleman at this stage, but the physical tools are rare and immediately noticeable. Possesses elite straight-line speed with a prototype frame that NFL evaluators will gravitate toward when the pre-draft process arrives in Indianapolis.

Still developing the finer points of the position, but the traits create instant stress for opposing defenses. Defensive backs are often forced to play with excessive cushions due to his ability to erase angles vertically, while his size and play strength allow him to work through contact and defeat jams at the line of scrimmage. Presents immediate matchup problems against both corners and safeties.

Long-striding athlete who covers ground effortlessly and builds speed rapidly. For a receiver with his dimensions, shows impressive lateral mobility and body control transitioning through breaks. Eats up cushion quickly and can threaten leverage within just a few steps. Flashes legitimate acrobatic ball skills and the ability to finish outside his frame, although consistency at the catch point still needs refinement. Hands can run hot and cold at times.

Overall, Harbor remains somewhat raw as a complete receiver prospect, but the ceiling is extremely high because of the rare athletic profile. If the technical development, route detail, and catch consistency continue trending upward in 2026, he has the tools to make a significant jump up early 2027 NFL Draft boards.

Last Five Gamecocks Receivers Drafted

  • 2024: Xavier Legette, First Round, 32nd Overall
  • 2023: Jalen Brooks, Seventh Round, 244th Overall
  • 2021: Shi Smith, Sixth Round, 204th Overall
  • 2020: Bryan Edwards, Third Round, 81st Overall
  • 2019: Deebo Samuel, Second Round, 34th Overall

KJ Duff, Rutgers

  • Height: 6’6
  • Weight: 225
  • Games: 25
  • Receiving Yards: 1,084
  • Touchdowns: 8
  • Receptions: 87

Gritty Rutgers Star with Elite Receiver Traits

Make no mistake about it, Duff has firmly established himself as one of the top wide receivers in the country. After a modest freshman campaign that saw him total 27 receptions for 425 yards and one touchdown, Duff erupted in 2025 with 60 catches for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns, becoming the focal point of the Rutgers passing attack.

His breakout season came alongside quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, who was later selected in the seventh round of the NFL Draft by the Washington Commanders. Entering 2026, Rutgers faces uncertainty under center as AJ Surace and Dylan Lonergan battle for the starting job, leaving Duff somewhat dependent on the development and consistency of the new signal-caller.

Even so, the tape suggests his NFL outlook extends well beyond raw production.

Scouting Report

Duff is a physically imposing receiver who combines size, competitiveness, and fluid movement skills at a high level. Despite his bigger frame, he moves with the looseness associated with smaller slot receivers. Advanced understanding of pacing and leverage allows him to consistently manipulate defenders throughout the stem.

Polished route runner who sells breaks effectively and works with strong tempo variation. Uses his frame exceptionally well to establish positioning at the catch point, shielding defenders and winning through contact. Shows natural feel for body placement and timing when boxing out defensive backs on contested targets.

Reliable hands catcher with smooth ball-tracking ability and minimal wasted movement transitioning after the catch. Once the football arrives, he runs with urgency and competitiveness, consistently fighting to maximize yardage. Not an overly sudden athlete in space, but possesses enough short-area quickness and creativity to make defenders miss and extend plays.

Plays with noticeable intensity and edge snap-to-snap. Competitive demeanor shows up both at the catch point and after the reception. Production could fluctuate depending on Rutgers’ quarterback situation in 2026, but evaluators focusing strictly on statistics may undervalue the overall quality of the prospect.

Last Five Scarlet Knights Receivers Drafted

  • 2022: Bo Melton, Seventh Round, 229th Overall
  • 2016: Leonte Carroo, Third Round, 86th Overall
  • 2012: Mohamed Sanu, Third Round, 83rd Overall
  • 2009: Kenny Britt, First Round, 30th Overall
  • 2009: Tiquan Underwood, Seventh Round, 253rd Overall

Photo Credit Frank Hyatt/College2Pro.com

 

 

 

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