Jeremiah Smith’s (likely) final college season might not result in another national title, but he is now in the record books.
In just his third college season, the Ohio State wide receiver became the all-time leading receiver in Big Ten history during the Buckeyes’ 28-19 win over Northwestern.
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Smith had 11 receptions for 117 yards and a score for the Buckeyes, who have free-fallen out of the College Football Playoff bracket. But with the performance, he surpassed Purdue’s John Standeford’s Big Ten mark in the second quarter while remaining front and center in the Heisman debate.
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Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) catches a pass against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second quarter at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, on Nov. 14, 2026. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Standeford had 3,788 receiving yards in his four seasons with the Boilermakers, but Smith now has 3,875.
Smith is one of just 11 players inside the top-50, and three inside the top-15, to spend less than four seasons in the conference.
He also tied Purdue’s David Bell and Michigan’s Braylon Edwards with his 17th 100-yard game.
Smith made a statement the second he set foot in Columbus, as he led the Big Ten in receiving yards and touchdowns as a freshman — and he has only gotten better.
Last year, he was an All-American and finished sixth in the Heisman vote. This season, his 15 touchdowns are tops in all the FBS, and he figures to be in the conversation to be the first pick in next year’s NFL Draft.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates a catch during the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 1, 2025. (IMAGN)
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Smith also led the Big Ten in catches and yards last year.
Smith accounted for more than half of the passing yards backup quarterback Luke Frahey threw on Saturday (201 total), as Julian Sayin continues to deal with an injury.
He figures to be yet another receiving star out of Ohio State in recent years, joining Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson, Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate and Marvin Harrison Jr.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) dances into the end zone untouched by Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Nyland Green (2) during the first half at Ohio Stadium. (Barbara Perenic/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images)
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The Buckeyes face Nebraska and Michigan to end their regular season.
