BREAKING: Ohio State Buckeyes WR Generating Major Heisman Buzz

Heading into the 2024 college football season, expectations were high for Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, but he still managed to exceed them in a historic freshman campaign.

Smith played a crucial role in the Buckeyes’ national championship run, finishing the season with 76 receptions for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns while averaging an impressive 17.3 yards per catch.

Now, heading into his sophomore season in 2025, the hype surrounding Smith has only grown. According to CBS Sports, FanDuel lists him as the No. 5 Heisman Trophy candidate with +1200 odds.

“Though he was a true freshman, many called Smith the best player in college football last season. It’s hard to argue with that assessment,” CBS Sports noted.

Smith immediately became the top target in Ohio State’s talented wide receiver room, setting a Big Ten freshman record with 15 receiving touchdowns and ranking fourth in the FBS in receiving yards. His dominance carried into the College Football Playoff, where he racked up 381 yards and five touchdowns during Ohio State’s title-winning run.

With such a stellar freshman season, the question now is: how much better can Smith get in 2025? His production will largely depend on Ohio State’s new starting quarterback, whether that be Julian Sayin, Tavien St. Clair, or Lincoln Kienholz.

Most expect Sayin to take over, and if so, Smith will be catching passes from a quarterback with elite arm talent—potentially an upgrade over Will Howard in that regard.

Regardless of who lines up under center, Smith enters 2025 as one of the nation’s top Heisman contenders. Now, all eyes will be on him to see if he can meet or even surpass the sky-high expectations.