Five-star true freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has turned heads since landing in Columbus, Ohio, last January. If he continues his trajectory, where will he end up among the Ohio State Buckeyes’ ever-growing list of all-time wide receivers?
Best Ohio State Receivers of All-Time
From Doug “White Lightning” Donley in the 1970s to Marvin Harrison Jr. just last season, the Buckeyes have churned out elite WRs seemingly year after year. Not just elite “college” WRs, either.
In just the last three NFL Drafts, they’ve produced four first-round picks at the position: Garrett Wilson (2022), Chris Olave (2022), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (2023), and Harrison (2024).
Although head coach Ryan Day and co-offensive coordinator/WRs coach Brian Hartline have leaned toward starting experienced players and developing younger talents, a mix of need and Smith’s raw abilities led to a massive role in Year 1 (23-453-6 receiving line in the first five games).
If he continues to live up to the hype he built while at Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School in Florida — Smith won three straight state titles to end his high school career and finished with 177 catches, 3,116 yards, and 46 TDs — he could take the mantle as the No. 1 all-time pass catcher at WRU.
Below is a chronological list of the top 10 WRs in Ohio State history, beginning with an NFL Hall of Famer.
Honorable Mentions
- Doug Donley (1977-80)
- Gary Williams (1979-82)
- Ted Ginn Jr. (2004-06)
- Devin Smith (2011-14)
- Curtis Samuel (2014-2016)
- Parris Campbell (2015-18)
- Terry McLaurin (2015-18)
- K.J. Hill (2015-19)
- Emeka Egbuka (2021-present)
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba (2020-22)
Cris Carter (1984-86)
As Ohio State’s first All-American wide receiver, Cris Carter forged a legacy that still resonates in Columbus nearly 40 years after his playing days.
Although the Buckeyes were primarily known for their powerful running game during his time, Carter’s impact as a pass catcher is undeniable. By the end of his three-year tenure at Ohio State, he held program records for receptions (168) and receiving touchdowns (27), achievements that still place him among the top five in school history despite the surge in passing numbers over the decades.
A two-time All-Big Ten selection, Carter’s prowess on the field laid the groundwork for future Buckeye wideouts, who continue to reference him as a benchmark for excellence. Though his NFL career is a testament to his talent, including an induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013, his influence remains deeply embedded in Ohio State’s football tradition.
Joey Galloway (1991-94)
Three decades after his time at Ohio State, Terry “The Bellaire Bullet” Galloway remains one of the most electrifying playmakers to don the scarlet and gray. A first-team All-Big Ten selection and third-team All-American in 1993, Galloway solidified his legacy by tying the school record for TDs catches with 11 in 1994, leading the team in receiving for the second consecutive year while serving as a captain.
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Upon his graduation, he ranked second all-time in career TD receptions and fourth in both receptions and receiving yards. Galloway was the No. 8 overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft, making him the highest-drafted receiver in Ohio State history at that time. His impressive 16-year professional career saw him haul in 701 passes for 10,950 yards and 77 scores.
Terry Glenn (1993-95)
Terry Glenn was Jaxon Smith-Njigba just a couple of decades earlier: an Ohio State WR with two forgettable seasons but one Earth-shattering one.
In 1995, he made history as the Buckeyes’ first Biletnikoff Award winner, amassing 1,411 receiving yards and 17 TDs — both single-season records at the time, with the latter still standing today.
Starting his career as a walk-on, the Columbus native defied expectations by becoming the highest-drafted WR from OSU when the New England Patriots selected him seventh overall in the 1996 NFL Draft. He went on to have a successful 12-season NFL career, producing 8,823 yards and 44 TDs on 593 catches.
David Boston (1996-98)
No Ohio State WR has matched David Boston’s statistical impact, who ranks second in program history with 191 receptions, 2,855 receiving yards, and 34 TDs — all achieved over just three seasons.
Additionally, he holds the title of Ohio State’s all-time leading punt returner with 959 yards on 98 returns, including two scores. A first-team All-American in 1998 and a two-time All-Big Ten selection, Boston thrived in high-pressure situations.
His memorable moments include catching the game-winning TD in the Rose Bowl against Arizona State as a freshman, a stunning 10-catch, 231-yard, two-TD performance against Michigan in 1998, and an 11-catch, 105-yard display that earned him Sugar Bowl MVP honors in his final game as a Buckeye.
Michael Jenkins (2001-03)
Two decades after his last game as a Buckeye, Michael Jenkins stands as Ohio State’s all-time leader in receiving yards. He served as the team’s leading pass catcher for three consecutive years, highlighted by a standout 2002 campaign where he caught 61 passes for 1,076 yards and six TDs, playing a crucial role in OSU’s national championship run.
One of his most memorable moments came when he made the iconic “Holy Buckeye” catch in a thrilling comeback against Purdue. A consistent performer throughout his tenure, Jenkins was also a team captain and earned team MVP honors in 2003, cementing his legendary status in Ohio State lore.
Santonio Holmes (2003-05)
After redshirting during Ohio State’s aforementioned 2002 national championship run, Santonio Holmes quickly emerged as a playmaker for the Buckeyes, stepping in for an injured Drew Carter.
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While he never cracked the century mark, Holmes became known for his penchant for scoring, hauling in 7+ TDs in each of his three seasons for the third most in program history (25).
Michael Thomas (2012-15)
Michael Thomas earned his spot in Ohio State’s starting lineup early in the 2014 season and quickly became one of the team’s most reliable targets. Leading the Buckeyes in both receiving yards and TDs, Thomas played a crucial role in their run to the inaugural College Football Playoff, helping them capture the 2015 CFP National Championship.
Over three seasons, he took 113 receptions for 1,602 yards and 18 scores, all while displaying remarkable consistency with just five career drops. Despite playing in a run-heavy offense, Thomas consistently beat the man across from him and proved to be a top NFL prospect.
Chris Olave (2018-21)
In an era where many first-round draft prospects opt for three-year college careers, Chris Olave took a different path by returning to Columbus for a fourth season.
From his breakout performance as a freshman against Michigan — where he caught two TDs and blocked a punt — to becoming the Buckeyes’ No. 1 receiver in 2019 and 2020, Olave consistently delivered. His 35 career TDs remain an Ohio State record, and he might have claimed the all-time receiving yards title were it not for the shortened 2020 campaign.
A 2021 team captain and first-team All-American, Olave went on to be selected 11th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints, where he’s already surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first two seasons.
Garrett Wilson (2019-21)
Despite only playing 2.5 seasons due to the pandemic-impacted 2020 season, Garrett Wilson etched his name in the annals of Ohio State history. With 143 receptions for 2,213 yards and 23 TDs, his production places him among the top 11 all-time receivers.
Wilson wasn’t a stagnant piece of the offense, either, excelling from both the slot and outside while also contributing as a punt returner. His standout performances earned him first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2020 and All-American status in 2021.
The New York Jets selected him 10th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, and he quickly lived up to expectations, earning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and amassing 2,145 receiving yards in just two seasons.
Marvin Harrison Jr. (2021-23)
Though Ohio State has produced a long line of legendary receivers, Harrison stands apart as the greatest in school history.
In just two years as a starter, after backing up the likes of Olave, Wilson, and Smith-Njigba, Harrison shattered records, becoming the first Buckeye with two 1,000-yard seasons and recording 15 career 100-yard games.
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MHJ ranks third all-time in TD receptions and sixth in both career receptions and receiving yards. Known for his ability to make acrobatic catches look routine, Harrison became the highest-drafted WR in Ohio State history when the Arizona Cardinals picked him fourth overall in the 2024 class.
Now, he’ll attempt to not only live up to his draft billing but also to reach the heights his Hall of Fame father set before him.
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