What happened: Terry McLaurin said Jeremiah Smith could be the top pick in the upcoming draft and praised him as a generational, unselfish football player. The endorsement ties one established Buckeye star to one of the sport's next high-profile draft cases.

Why it matters: Top-pick talk moves Smith into a different tier of draft conversation because it frames him as more than a productive prospect. McLaurin's backing carries extra weight from an active NFL receiver with his own track record, including recent recognition for his leadership.

What to watch: The next turn is whether more evaluators and NFL voices start placing Smith in the same top-of-board conversation as the draft cycle advances.