While quarterbacks get all the attention, Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith received heaps of attention as one of the best skill position players in college football last season.
The 6’3”, 215-pound, now sophomore racked up 1,315 yards, 76 receptions and 15 touchdowns last year, en route to an Ohio State national championship victory.
Jeremiah Smith Clears Non-QBs in Recent Ranking
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberger broke down the best non-quarterbacks in the country, and while the list isn’t ordered, it’s safe to say Smith is near the top of the list — and was even mentioned first!
From earlier: My look at 25 non-QB playmakers to watch around college football this coming season, after surveying coaches and others around the sport. https://t.co/40yULI1A7I
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) May 20, 2025
“He’s the nation’s best player at his position, a bona fide Heisman Trophy contender and still must play two more full seasons in college before moving on to the NFL draft,” Rittenberger wrote.
Smith broke Cris Carter’s Ohio State freshman receiving records, winning Big Ten awards for top wide receiver and top freshman. He led the nation in receptions over 50 yards with six and finished in the top four in the country in receiving yards and touchdowns.
“It’s insane,” a Big Ten coach told Rittenberger. “That guy, it’s insane.”
Smith managed to haul in three or more receptions in every regular season game, adding a touchdown in his first seven appearances and five touchdowns in the Buckeyes’ national championship run.
“For a true freshman to come in and win the Big Ten Wide Receiver of the Year, have the yards that he’s had and command the kind of attention and coverage that he commanded, it’s like, ‘Wow,'” a Big Ten defensive coordinator told Rittenberger.
Smith starred in three of Ohio State’s four College Football Playoff matchups. Against Tennessee, he hauled in six receptions for 103 yards and two touchdowns. He scored seven receptions for a career-high 187 yards and two touchdowns in the team’s blowout of Oregon. He pulled in five receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown in the national championship. Texas shut Smith down, holding him to only one reception for three yards.
KEEP READING: Ohio State Star WR Jeremiah Smith Draws High Praise Among Stacked 2027 NFL Draft Class
Perhaps surprisingly, Smith only reached the 100-yard mark three times in the regular season, with a season-high 119 yards in the team’s week two blowout win over Western Michigan. However, with Ohio State winning eight of their regular-season games by more than 20 points, a potent passing attack wasn’t necessary.
With Ohio State facing the Longhorns in this year’s season opener, we’ll immediately see how much of an impact he can make.
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