​One of college football’s brightest stars is Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Smith rose to the pinnacle of college football in 2024, becoming the focal point of Ohio State’s offense and nearly transforming the Buckeyes into an offensive powerhouse during the College Football Playoff run. After a standout freshman season, he carried that momentum into another outstanding sophomore year. Today, he appears to be just a handful of big games away from cementing his place among the greatest wide receivers in Ohio State history.
According to Ohio State’s record book, Smith currently needs 39 receptions, 341 receiving yards, and nine touchdown catches to break the program’s all-time career records. If he stays healthy and the Buckeyes’ offense continues to click, he should surpass each of those milestones. He is only entering his third season with the program, and if he declares for the 2027 NFL Draft, he will likely be a top-five pick. Yet it’s reasonable to wonder whether Ohio State could assemble a competitive NIL package that persuades him to return for a fourth year.
If that scenario unfolds, Smith could carve out even more distinction in the program’s record books and potentially chase the NCAA all-time receiving records, currently held by Corey Davis and Jarett Dillard. ESPN’s college football FPI rankings heading into the 2026 season highlight the sustained attention surrounding Smith and his potential to elevate his legacy even further.
One thing is certain: if Smith continues to perform at the level he has throughout his career, his dominance will only bolster his legacy and add another chapter to Ohio State’s storied reputation as “WR U.” He has already joined and, in some cases, surpassed a long line of legendary Buckeye receivers, including Cris Carter, David Boston, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Santonio Holmes, among others who underscore the program’s rich tradition at the wide receiver position.
As the saga unfolds, the lingering question remains: How many games will it take for Smith to shatter Ohio State’s receiving records? If he maintains his current trajectory, the answer could come sooner than many expect. With every breakout performance, Smith not only strengthens his standing within Buckeye lore but also reinforces Ohio State’s enduring identity as a factory for elite wide receivers.