Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith emerged as one of the top freshmen in the nation during the 2024 college football season, playing a key role in the team’s journey to a national championship.
Jeremiah Smith recorded 76 receptions for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns in the 2024 college football season, averaging an impressive 17.3 yards per catch. His longest reception spanned 70 yards. Standing at 6’3″ and weighing 215 pounds, Smith aims to keep making headlines in his sophomore year. Had he been draft-eligible in 2025, many believe he would’ve easily been selected within the top 5 to 10 picks. However, he won’t be eligible until the 2027 NFL Draft.
CBS Sports’ Will Backus recently listed his MVP picks for each team in the Top 25 ahead of the 2025 season. Ranking Ohio State as the No. 4 team, Backus named wide receiver Jeremiah Smith the team’s MVP over standout safety Caleb Downs. Backus noted that Smith, arguably the top player in college football, will play a crucial role in maintaining the Buckeyes’ championship-level performance, especially as they break in a new quarterback. He also gave credit to Downs, calling him the heart of the defense.
Smith is widely expected to be among the elite wide receivers in college football for the 2026 season. He’s also considered a strong candidate for the Heisman Trophy, joining other high-profile names like Arch Manning (Texas), Cade Klubnik (Clemson), and Ryan Williams (Alabama) in the 2025 Heisman conversation.