Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith Cashes In Bigger Than Some NFL Stars

Jeremiah Smith is still a college athlete, but his bank account already looks like that of a pro. The Ohio State wide receiver has quickly become one of the most valuable names in college sports, earning more than many NFL players before he ever declares for the draft. His quick rise highlights how much college football has shifted, especially now that NIL deals can turn elite recruits into million-dollar players almost instantly.

Jeremiah Smith currently ranks among the top three highest-valued NIL athletes in the country. Only Texas quarterback Arch Manning ($5.3 million) and elite basketball prospect AJ Dybantsa ($4.3 million) sit ahead of him. With an estimated NIL value of $4.2 million, Smith is already out-earning a former Buckeyes legend who’s now thriving in the NFL.

According to FootballForever, Smith is making more this year than Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxson Smith-Njigba, who earns $3.6 million on his rookie deal. That comparison turns heads because Smith-Njigba isn’t just any former Buckeye—he’s one of the program’s greatest wideouts.

Before heading to the league, Smith-Njigba delivered an unforgettable 2021 season at Ohio State, piling up 1,606 yards and averaging nearly 17 yards a catch. His 240-yard game against Nebraska became instant Buckeye lore. After battling a hamstring injury in 2022, he was taken 20th overall by the Seahawks.

The NFL hasn’t slowed him down either. He posted 1,130 yards in 2024 and made the Pro Bowl. This season, he’s been even better, with 1,428 yards and nine touchdowns, and he’s the only player in the league averaging more than 100 receiving yards per game.

Still, his contract—four years, $14.4 million—means Smith-Njigba makes less per year than Jeremiah Smith, who’s still suiting up for Ohio State on Saturdays.

Smith’s NIL earnings don’t stop at the $4.2 million valuation. His partnerships include Red Bull, making him the first college athlete to appear on a Red Bull can, along with a major deal with Adidas. Throw in his cover appearance on EA Sports College Football 26, and his real yearly income may be closer to $5 million.

And he’s earned it on the field. As a true freshman, Jeremiah Smith posted 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns while helping Ohio State win a national championship. He’s already added 1,086 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.

With numbers like that—and money like that—it’s fair to wonder why a star like Smith would rush to the NFL at all.

Jeremiah Smith isn’t alone. NIL has changed the sport so dramatically that top players can now make millions without leaving campus.

Landing a solid quarterback now costs programs between $600k and $800k per year, according to collectives working with CBS Sports. In the transfer portal, that number jumps to around $1.5 million, and it could soon hit $2 million as demand keeps rising.

Some elite QBs—like Carson Beck ($3 million), Nico Iamaleava (4 years, $8 million), and Darian Mensah (2 years, $8 million)—command professional-level payouts.

And it’s not only quarterbacks. Running backs can cost up to $700k. Wide receivers range from $400k to $1 million. A blue-chip prospect? Even higher.

A Big Ten staffer recently pointed out that some freshmen are now making more than a team’s established starters. Even offensive linemen and defensive backs are earning close to seven figures.

With that kind of money available, staying in college for four or even five years suddenly makes sense. Top players like Caleb Williams waited longer to go pro, and others—like Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia—are fighting for every extra year of eligibility they can get, often with multi-million-dollar valuations attached.

For players like Jeremiah Smith, college football is no longer just a stepping stone. It’s a place where you can build a brand, stack millions, and still dominate on Saturdays—making the jump to the NFL something players can delay without losing a dollar.

And in Jeremiah Smith’s case, he’s proving you can be richer than a rising NFL star before ever taking a single professional snap.

Also Read: Matt Campbell Opens Penn State Era With Respect for Franklin and Smith