Ranking Ohio State's 2025 Playmakers: No. 1 - WR Jeremiah Smith

Jeremiah Smith was sent to Ohio State by his parents Jor-El and Lara because their planet was dying and they knew that with Earth’s yellow sun, he would be able to survive any one-on-one coverages that would ever come against him.

No. 1 – Jeremiah Smith – Sophomore Wide Receiver

Jeremiah Smith ruined the curve for all future college freshman – and frankly some sophomores, juniors, and seniors as well.

In a year where the expectations for Smith were immense, he proved to the college football world as a true freshman that those expectations weren’t high enough. He finished 2024 with 76 receptions for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also ran the ball six times for 47 yards and a touchdown.

Smith was named the Big Ten’s Wide Receiver of the Year, as well as the Freshman of the Year. He was a USA Today First-Team All-American and a Second-Team selection by most other major outlets.

Statistical History

What He Does Well

Everything.

It’s almost a waste of internet ink to discuss everything that Jeremiah Smith does well because it’s almost all cliché at this point. He can take any pass and turn it into a highlight. He can probably play an entire game left-handed like Larry Bird if he wanted.

At 6-foot-3 and 220-odd pounds, Smith is a physical mismatch for 99% of the cornerbacks out there, and an athletic mismatch for anybody that wants to test him. That doesn’t mean he wins every battle, but he’s won way more than he’s lost.

As much as his size and speed and all of those physical things make him different, so do his hands. His football instincts and ball awareness are just as elite as his ability to run and jump. He is the prototype.

Only four players finished with more receptions of 30+ yards last year than Smith (12). Smith’s nine receptions of 40+ yards and six receptions of 50+ yards were both national bests. No Buckeye has come close to matching those numbers in recent years.

Jeremiah Smith In 2025

As much as every defense goes into a game wanting to stop the run, there is also going to be a concerted effort to not let Jeremiah Smith go crazy. Ohio State is going to move him around and look for ways to get him the ball, so defenses won’t be able to bracket him entirely. When he has those opportunities, everybody needs to make the most of it.

Smith’s numbers may take a dip this year, not unlike Marvin Harrison, Jr.s numbers as a junior following a stellar sophomore season. Keep in mind, Smith played in 16 games last year. But regardless of numbers, his impact will be felt in every game. If he is quiet catching the ball, it’s because the defense has focused on him and allowed others to eat. This is still a good thing.

But don’t worry, you’re almost always going to see some things you can’t believe. There will still be plenty of highlights and big plays along the way.

What They Are Saying

“If you look at him, you’ve seen him where he’s gotten bigger and stronger and faster than he was last year. He was at workouts the other day, and Mick constantly says during our warmups, he’s the first guy every time we run through and we’re warming up. The first guy every single time. He just sets such a standard. You don’t need to motivate Jeremiah. What he did as a freshman speaks for itself, and like you said, he may not be an older guy, he may not be really vocal in terms of his leadership, but what he does on the field speaks for itself, and the work ethic he’s brought into this year has been exceptional.” — Ohio State head coach Ryan Day on Jeremiah Smith as a sophomore.