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Smith Claims He's Best Player After Record Day
Confirmed
In Short: Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith made a strong case for the Heisman Trophy after a record-breaking performance against Iowa, declaring, "You've just got to let the Heisman voters or whoever it is know that I'm the best player in the country," according to ESPN.
Smith's fourth career game with at least 150 receiving yards and a touchdown against an AP top-15 opponent tied DeVonta Smith for the most by any FBS player in the past 30 years, ESPN reported.
In the third quarter, Smith streaked across the turf for a 57-yard touchdown, pulling away from Iowa's Anthony Hawkins. He celebrated with the Heisman pose, a reminder to voters of his dominance.
Smith's performance included a 54-yard catch on the first play of the second quarter, where he made the catch despite triple coverage. "All you can do is do your best and try to be as smart as you can playing him, but he's a great player," said an opponent.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day praised Smith's ability, noting, "There's times where he's covered, and we make the throw and catch, which just speaks to his ability and Julian, his trust with him."
Smith's latest performance saw him break the Ohio State record for career receptions with 207 and career touchdown catches with 36, according to NBC Sports.
In five games this season, Smith has 44 catches for 617 yards and nine touchdowns, tying the program record with his 15th career 100-yard game.
Smith's impact on the field was not limited to his play; he also celebrated with Ohio State fans and signed autographs on his way to the locker room.
"They're why I play this game.... They spend their hard-earned money to go come watch us play, so it's only right that this team gives their all, and I give my all," Smith said.
Smith's NIL deal surely requires him to keep playing, and his NFL prospects are already secured, according to NBC Sports.
What this adds
Smith's performance against Iowa likely cemented his position as the Heisman Trophy front-runner.
What's confirmed
- "You've just got to [let] the Heisman voters or whoever it is know that I'm the best player in the country," Smith said.
What's still developing
- "He's got great size, great competitiveness, just great ability for a receiver," said Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, who likened Smith to former Penn State star running back Saquon Barkley in terms of impact.
- Smith continued to make some plays look easy, such as the 57-yard score, which offensive coordinator Arthur Smith had identified during the practice week to gain single coverage against a safety, but also the hard ones.
- Added Smith: "I was surprised that he threw it, but it just shows that we have trust in each other."
- Smith is drawing comparisons to Randy Moss and other iconic college wide receivers, including Alabama's DeVonta Smith, who won the Heisman in 2020.
- When the Ohio State wide receiver finally stopped moving, Smith struck the Heisman pose, a gentle reminder to those determining college football's top individual honor.
- "I've got to be there." Smith likely cemented himself as the Heisman Trophy front-runner with another record-setting performance Saturday, as No.
- Smith has more than 200 receiving yards and two touchdowns in each of the past two games, becoming the first FBS player to do so since Indiana's Ty Fryfogle and Mississippi State's Elijah Moore did in 2020.
- "There's other plays where he was open and we work hard on designing those plays and trying to give him an opportunity, especially when it's down the field."
- As it relates to his NFL prospects, however, the hay is in the barn.
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