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Jeremiah Smith’s Final Shot: Heisman Glory & A National Title?
Jeremiah Smith: Ohio State’s Superstar Receiver Ready for One Last Ride
Welcome to Buckeye Nation! If you’re new to college football or just want the inside scoop on one of the game’s brightest stars, you’re in the right place. Let’s break down everything you need to know about Jeremiah Smith in simple terms.
Who Is Jeremiah Smith?
Think of Jeremiah Smith as the LeBron James of college football wide receivers — except he’s only 20 years old and plays for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
- Position: Wide Receiver (the player who catches passes from the quarterback)
- Team: Ohio State Buckeyes (one of college football’s most famous programs)
- Year: Junior (third year of college)
- Status: Already considered one of the best to ever play the position at Ohio State
The Big News: Smith confirmed at Big Ten Media Days that this upcoming season will be his last in college. After that, he’s headed to the NFL.
What Has He Already Achieved?
Most college players take a year or two to adjust. Not Jeremiah Smith. Here’s his highlight reel after just two seasons:
The Numbers Don’t Lie
| Stat | Total | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Receptions | 163 | Number of passes caught |
| Receiving Yards | 2,558 | Total distance gained on catches |
| Touchdowns | 27 | Times he scored (6 points each!) |
Historic Moments
- True Freshman Starter — Started every game as an 18-year-old in 2024 (rare for a first-year player)
- Record Breaker — Shattered multiple Ohio State freshman receiving records
- Championship Hero — Made a game-clinching 56-yard catch on 3rd-and-11 in the national championship win over Notre Dame
- Undefeated Regular Season — Helped lead the Buckeyes to a perfect regular season last year
COACH’S TAKE: "He’s a gentleman, a high character guy who does everything right. We’re very fortunate he’s a Buckeye." — Ryan Day, Ohio State Head Coach
What Are His Goals for This Season?
Smith isn’t just showing up for a victory lap. He has a very specific checklist:
The "Perfect Season" Looks Like:
- Win a SECOND national championship (back-to-back titles!)
- Become a Heisman Trophy finalist (college football’s MVP award)
- Win the Biletnikoff Award (given to the nation’s best receiver)
- Leave the program better than he found it
SMITH’S WORDS: "Bringing more hardware back to Ohio State. That’s what the perfect season would look like."
The Heisman Trophy Conversation
What Is the Heisman Trophy?
It’s the most prestigious award in college football — given to the "most outstanding player" each year.
The Problem Smith Points Out:
Since 2015, only TWO non-quarterbacks have won:
- DeVonta Smith (Alabama, 2020) — 1,856 yards, 23 TDs
- Travis Hunter (Colorado, 2024) — Played BOTH offense AND defense
JEREMIAH’S TAKE: "I feel like it’s always a quarterback award — unless you have a crazy season like DeVonta Smith. I believe the Heisman should go to the best player, not just the best quarterback or the guy with the best stats."
His Competition This Year:
- Travis Hunter (now with the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL)
- Various star quarterbacks from top programs
NFL Future vs. Present Focus
The Projection:
Nearly every expert says Smith will be the FIRST non-quarterback picked in the 2026 NFL Draft.
His Mindset:
"I don’t really focus on what’s in the future. I focus on what’s right now. And that’s Ohio State football. I’m not really focusing on NFL but trying to make everybody around me better."
His Role Models:
| Legend | Sport | What Smith Admires |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Brady | Football | Made everyone around him better |
| Kobe Bryant | Basketball | Relentless work ethic, leadership |
| LeBron James | Basketball | Longevity, elevating teammates |
Smith’s Philosophy: "That’s what all the greats did… Trying to leave the jersey better than (how) I found it."
Leadership and Legacy: More Than Stats
What Makes Him Special (According to Coach Day):
- High character — Does things the right way
- Team-first mentality — Not chasing personal stats
- Work ethic — Wants THIS year to be his BEST year
- Maturity — Speaks like a veteran leader despite his age
The "Jersey" Standard:
Smith wants to follow the tradition of Ohio State greats who:
- Played for the name on the front of the jersey (Ohio State)
- Not the name on the back (Smith)
- Left the program stronger than when they arrived
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Jeremiah Smith is already a legend at Ohio State after just 2 seasons
- This is his farewell tour — he’s going to the NFL after this year
- He wants a SECOND national championship above all else
- He’s chasing history — Heisman finalist + Biletnikoff Award
- He’s focused on TEAM SUCCESS, not personal accolades or the NFL draft
- Coach Ryan Day calls him "high character" — rare praise for a 20-year-old star
Summary: The Final Chapter Begins
Jeremiah Smith has already done things at Ohio State that most players only dream about. But he’s not satisfied. This season isn’t about padding stats for the NFL — it’s about cementing his legacy as one of the greatest Buckeyes ever.
He wants to:
- Win another title
- Win the awards he deserves
- Make his teammates better
- Leave the program in a better place
Whether he wins the Heisman or not, Jeremiah Smith has already won the respect of his coaches, teammates, and an entire fanbase. Now, he gets one last ride to write the perfect ending.
Go Bucks!
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
Q: What’s a "true freshman"?
A: A "true freshman" is a player in their first year of college who plays in games right away. Many freshmen "redshirt" (sit out a year to preserve eligibility), but Smith was good enough to start immediately.
Q: What’s the Biletnikoff Award?
A: It’s the award given to college football’s best wide receiver each year. Named after Fred Biletnikoff, a Hall of Fame receiver. Think of it as the "Best Receiver" trophy.
Q: Why is it so hard for non-quarterbacks to win the Heisman?
A: Quarterbacks touch the ball every play and get credit for team success. Receivers and defensive players have to have historic, undeniable seasons (like DeVonta Smith’s 23 TDs or Travis Hunter playing both ways) to overcome the QB bias.
Q: Can Smith really be the first non-QB picked in the NFL Draft?
A: Yes! NFL teams value elite receivers highly. Smith’s combination of size, speed, hands, and production makes him a near-lock to be the first receiver (and first non-QB) selected in the 2026 draft.
Q: What does "leave the jersey better than I found it" mean?
A: It’s a leadership philosophy. Smith wants the Ohio State program to be stronger, more successful, and have a better culture because he was part of it — not just because of his stats, but because of how he treated people and led by example.
