Jeremiah Smith caught four touchdowns and gained 217 yards against Illinois on Saturday, tying an Ohio State record and putting him at the front of the race for the Heisman Trophy. The Buckeyes won 42-19.
Smith became only the fifth Buckeye in program history to catch four touchdowns in a single game. He also finished with 217 yards receiving, making him the second Buckeye receiver ever to gain 200-plus yards and catch four touchdowns in the same contest. That combination tied the school record for touchdown catches in a game.
The Buckeye Receiver Machine
Ohio State has a long record of producing NFL-ready receivers. The school has sent a first-round wide receiver in five straight NFL drafts, from 2022 through 2026. Those picks include Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate.
Smith is the latest in that line. His performance against Illinois showed why he is the best wide receiver in the country.
Why Smith Moved Up
Smith’s numbers were enough to pass two quarterbacks in the Heisman conversation. He is now the favorite, ahead of Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and Miami quarterback Darian Mensah.
The Buckeyes have scored 101 points while allowing just 22 in their two games since losing to Texas. That loss remains the biggest question mark on the season.
The Iowa Test
Ohio State faces its biggest challenge since that loss on Saturday, Oct. 3, when the Buckeyes take on Iowa in a game that pits offense against a stout defense.
The Hawkeyes are known for their defensive strength, and this will be the Buckeyes’ first real test of the season.
What Comes Next
Smith’s record-setting day puts him in rare company. Only four other Buckeyes have caught four touchdowns in a game, and he is now the second receiver in school history to gain 200-plus yards and catch four touchdowns in the same game.
The Heisman race is still wide open. But Smith’s performance against Illinois has made him the player to beat.
Here is how the Heisman conversation looks after the Illinois game:
| Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah Smith | Wide receiver | Ohio State |
| Trinidad Chambliss | Quarterback | Ole Miss |
| Darian Mensah | Quarterback | Miami |
The Road Ahead
Ohio State has answered its loss to Texas with two strong performances. The Buckeyes have outscored their opponents 101-22 in those two games.
The Iowa game will test whether that momentum holds. The Hawkeyes present a physical challenge that the Buckeyes have not faced yet this season.
Smith’s performance against Illinois has set the tone for the rest of the season. He tied a school record for touchdown catches and became the second receiver in school history to gain 200-plus yards and catch four touchdowns in the same game.
The Heisman race is wide open, and Jeremiah Smith has put himself in the lead.
How the Heisman conversation stacks up after the Illinois game
- Jeremiah Smith — wide receiver, Ohio State
- Trinidad Chambliss — quarterback, Ole Miss
- Darian Mensah — quarterback, Miami
Source material: “Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith is now the Heisman favorite following historic performance,” Fox News.
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