The Ohio State Buckeyes are riding high after securing the 2024 national title, but now they will shift their focus to defending their championship and going for a repeat.
Leading the team will be wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs, who just received national recognition. On3 ranked them as the first- and second-best returning college football players for next season. Both are expected to play crucial roles in leading the Buckeyes in 2025.
Jeremiah Smith’s Impact And NIL Battle
Smith is widely regarded as the best returning wide receiver in college football. The Buckeyes benefited from his outstanding freshman season, which played a major role in their national championship win.
However, in the era of NIL deals and the transfer portal, Smith has already attracted lucrative offers from other programs. This included a reported $4.5 million bid to enter the portal. While he remains committed to Ohio State, the competition for top talent continues to intensify.
Expectations for Smith were already high entering the 2024 season, but he surpassed them significantly. Assuming he maintains his current trajectory, his freshman-year performance positioned him to be one of the greatest wide receivers in Ohio State history.
Smith concluded his freshman campaign with 76 receptions, 1,315 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 17.3 yards per catch.
Caleb Downs’ Defensive Dominance
Downs has already established himself as one of the nation’s top defensive players. His exceptional play earned him a No. 2 spot on On3’s ranking of returning college football players. As he enters his junior season, his performance will be key in maintaining the Buckeyes’ defensive strength.
Since transferring from Alabama, Downs has excelled in multiple defensive roles, making him one of the most versatile players on the field. Whether defending the deep secondary, assisting in run support, or covering elite receivers, he has demonstrated elite instincts and playmaking ability.
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In 2024, he recorded 71 tackles, six pass deflections, and an interception. His impact was especially evident in a critical game against Oregon, where he had three pass breakups, further proving his ability to shut down top offenses.
Downs’ adaptability within defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ system has been instrumental in his success, but with his coordinator now leading Penn State’s unit, he’ll need to show even more adaptability. Initially playing as a traditional safety, he has evolved into a dynamic defensive asset capable of making plays across the field.
Award Recognition for Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs
Smith and Downs received major honors for their performances back in December. Downs was named the Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year, while Smith earned the Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year and Thompson-Randle-El Freshman of the Year awards. Both players also secured first-team All-Big Ten selections by coaches and media voters.
Downs led the Buckeyes with 34 solo tackles and ranked third on the team with 62 total tackles. His defensive production also included 6.5 tackles for loss, one interception, and three pass breakups. His contributions positioned him as a finalist for several prestigious awards, including the Thorpe Award, Bednarik Award, and Lott IMPACT Trophy.
On the other side of the ball, Smith shattered Ohio State freshman records with 57 receptions for 934 receiving yards, 10 touchdown catches, and three 100-yard games. Nationally, he ranked first among freshmen in touchdowns and receiving yards while finishing second in receptions.
His award-winning season continued Ohio State’s streak of dominant receivers, following Marvin Harrison Jr.’s consecutive Receiver of the Year wins in 2022 and 2023.
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