Ohio State Buckeyes receiver Devin Smith is headed to the New York Jets after being selected with the 37th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Smith calls it a career after helping the Buckeyes cap a historic run culminating in a win over Oregon in the inaugural College Football Playoff championship game.
Though Smith leaves a hair to be desired size-wise at 6'0 and 196 pounds, his high end speed is in a class with few peers. With three touchdowns in the Big Ten championship against Wisconsin and another against Alabama, Smith capped his collegiate playing days with OSU 22-0 when he caught a touchdown.
Following his senior season, Devin Smith was named honorable mention All-Big Ten. He received the same honor in 2012.
The measureables are as impressive as you'll see at the possession given his route running and adjustment ability. Smith clocked a 4.42 40 at the 2015 NFL Combine along with a 4.15 shuttle. Though he's not the fastest wide receiver on anyone's draft boards, his speed is in the purest sense deceptive and defensive backs can lose the deep threat by underestimating him.
Smith's biggest weakness is probably questions about whether he can be a legit number one at the next level. His route running is sharp and as mentioned ad nauseam, is probably the best deep ball pass catcher in the field. With additional seasoning, he could yet prove to be one of the best wide receivers from the 2015 class.
Congrats, and best of luck to Devin Smith on Sundays.