The 2024 season is about halfway over and the Ohio State Buckeyes sit at 5-1 after dropping a one-point affair at Oregon. Now, the team is on its second off-week to gear up for Nebraska to come to the Horseshoe. Each year, the Biletnikoff Award is awarded to the top receiver in the country. To kick off the year, 49 pass-catchers were honored with inclusion on the exclusive list. Six Big Ten stars were initially added.
On Wednesday, Ohio State freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith‘s name was added to the prestigious list to join his Buckeye counterpart, Emeka Egbuka.
Congratulations to Jeremiah Smith @Jermiah_Smith1 for being named to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List! The Biletnikoff Award recognizes the college football season's outstanding FBS receiver at any position. @OhioStateFB @OhioStAthletics #OutstandingReceiver #NCFAA pic.twitter.com/xl8sRtf7Mp
— Biletnikoff Award (@biletnikoffawrd) October 16, 2024
Ohio State Freshman Superstar Added to Biletnikoff Award Watchlist
It’s no surprise that the award for the top receiver in the nation would recognize the top playmaker in the Buckeyes’ offense. The Ohio State freshman took no time at all to get acclimated to the college game and has made a tangible impact in all six games to this point.
Smith has scored at least one touchdown in each of his first six games to start his career. His career thus far:
- Six catches, 92 yards, two touchdowns vs Akron
- Five catches, 199 yards, one touchdown vs Western Michigan
- Three catches, 70 yards, one touchdown vs Marshall
- Five catches, 83 yards, one touchdown at Michigan State
- Four catches, 89 yards, one touchdown vs Iowa
- Nine catches, 100 yards, one touchdown at Oregon
His 553 receiving yards are second-most in the Big Ten behind Tai Felton‘s 719. Smith’s seven touchdowns are second only to Washington’s Denzel Boston‘s nine (not related to Ohio State legend, David Boston).
Certified Playmaker
Already at 18 years old, Smith plays like a third-year veteran receiver. He is a polished route-runner with impressive strength and body control. It’s cliché at this point but Smith truly does turn 50-50 balls to 80-20 in his favor.
Additionally, he’s lethal with the ball in space. He scored a 70-yard touchdown off a basic slant against Western Michigan that evoked Ja’Marr Chase‘s many impressive touchdowns with the Cincinnati Bengals. Smith looked like he had no right to score but he tore through the defense untouched despite having six different Bronco defenders in the area.
He makes difficult catches look easy with his three spectacular one-handed plays in the Michigan State and Iowa games.
Back in June, we said of Smith:
“While 1,000 yards is a great goal to have, the Buckeyes can look toward another milestone. Smith can have the best season by an Ohio State true freshman receiver. All he needs is 33 catches for 480 yards.”
Needless to say, he’s going to destroy even the most optimistic expectations this year. He’s on pace for 64 catches, 1,106 yards, and 14 touchdowns in a 12-game season. Add in a potential Big Ten Championship Game and some postseason action and he may not only have the best season from a freshman but one of the best from ANY Ohio State receiver.
Other New Names
- Denzel Boston, Memphis
- Ja’Corey Brooks, Louisville
- Harold Fannin, Jr., Bowling Green (TE)
- Tai Felton, Maryland
- Omari Kelly, Middle Tennessee
- KeAndre Lamber-Smith, Auburn
- Nick Nash, San Jose State
- Devonte Ross, Troy
- Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
- De’Zhaun Stribling, Oklahoma State
- Ryan Williams, Alabama
