Ohio State football: 5 great players who didn’t live up to the NFL hype

Devin Smith had speed for days but couldn’t stay healthy.

Though he was never a bonafide college football superstar, Devin Smith was a constant high-end contributor for the Ohio State football program for the majority of his career. That started as a true freshman. Smith only had 294 yards on 14 receptions for the entire season but he did catch four touchdowns. More importantly, he had a huge moment as he caught a game-winning score against Wisconsin, going to the house from 40 yards out.

For the next season, Smith played a much bigger role in the offense and it showed in the box score. In 10 games, the speedy wide receiver put up 30 receptions for 618 yards and six touchdowns, really cementing himself as a big-play threat. His rise continued as a junior for the Buckeyes as Smith notched a career-high  44 receptions with 660 yards and eight touchdowns.

As a senior, however, Smith really put himself on the national stage. He had a big year with 33 receptions for 931 yards and 12 touchdowns, including a three-touchdown game in the Big Ten title matchup and helping the way to a National Championship. He finished his career fifth at Ohio State in receiving yards and second in touchdowns.

With his production and physical tools, the New York Jets brought him in with the No. 37 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, hoping he could ignite the offense. Injuries, however, have derailed his pro career. He’s played in only 18 games over five seasons in the league with just 15 receptions for 248 yards and two touchdowns. While he showed signs of life this past season in a limited role with the Cowboys, he still looks like a bust at this point.