“I knew Jeremiah was going to be special from the first time I met him,” Will Howard made a prophetic remark on the Buckeyes’ star receiver last year. He sticks to his stance to date. Travis Hunter was the undisputed king of 2024, the Heisman hero with equal expertise on both sides of the ball. Thanks to his sensational season for the Buffs. Now, after Ewers being drafted, Arch Manning is taking up the reins. The QB with a heavyweight last name and some serious flashes of brilliance under the center is the most anticipated player this year. Well, maybe, but Will Howard disapproves, because he is looking elsewhere.
Manning couldn’t find himself on the front page of the EA College football Sports 2026. Instead, Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams and Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith are the athletes occupying the cover of EA Sports College Football 26. Both players emerged as the crown jewels of their respective schools’ last season with breakout performances as true freshmen. Smith called it “a tremendous privilege,” while Ryan Williams deemed it a ” dream come true moment.” Indeed, but it was not at all a surprise, at least to Will Howard, who has always been the loudest cheerleader of his former peer.
”Give me Jeremiah Smith.” Howard didn’t take much time to clear his pick when asked by the NFL who he thinks should appear on the cover of EA Sports College Football 26, “Best player in the country right there, man,” he added.
The 6-foot-3 wide receiver racked up a total of 76 catches for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns in his freshman season. Sure, he no longer has the privilege of an electric chemistry with Will Howard, as he is now settled with the Pittsburgh Steelers. But Julian Sayin can still be a weapon, building that quintessential quarterback-receiver equation in the Buckeyes’ offense. Smith will have two more seasons and an immense chance to add to his stock even more.
Ohio State’s offense looks like cemented, with Smith returning for the year. If the Buckeyes can give him proper leverage, then even a 2000-yard season is not that far-fetched. He is making the waves as a serious Heisman contender. So, gracing the EA Sports cover wasn’t a loose connection at all. Howard gets it right.
Jeremiah Smith can pose a serious threat to Arch Manning’s Heisman hope
As history speaks, the quarterback has an automatic edge in the battle for the most coveted trophy of college football. However, that doesn’t mean the other positions get subdued. Take the biggest reference from this year’s card. Travis Hunter and Austin Jeanty, the two fierce finalists for the Heisman trophy, are both non-QBs.
Although the Texas QB1 is the most popular No.1 betting choice on most sports books. Smith doesn’t stand far with a +1300 odds, according to FanDuel. QB Cade Klubnik and Garrett Nussmeier wedged in between, intensifying the competition for the rare receiver on the list.
Manning has the weight of legacy on his shoulders, but his performance in the debut season as a starter will rewrite his fate as a potential Heisman candidate. On the other hand, if Smith can stay consistent in his explosive route running ability, fierce athleticism right from the beginning of the season, in a wild opener against Manning and his crew, he can be the biggest threat to Manning’s Heisman hope.
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