There’s no fear in Columbus when rivals and teammates push each other to the brink. That’s just how Ryan Day’s Buckeyes roll. 7-0, unblemished, and fueled by internal fire. And at the heart of it, there’s Jeremiah Smith, the new-age prototype. Fast, fearless, and freakishly athletic. 49 catches, 602 yards, and seven touchdowns through eight weeks. But even with his highlight reel growing every Saturday, not everyone in his locker room is putting him on a pedestal.

Ohio State QB Julian Sayin and safety Caleb Downs revealed who their Heisman frontrunners are in a sit-down posted by Official Ohio State DG on X on October 29. The Buckeyes QB didn’t pick his top receiver. He didn’t even go with a Buckeye. Instead, his Heisman vote went south to a $2.5M SEC QB: Alabama’s Ty Simpson.

“So when I visited Bama, I’ve visited a few times, and Ty was always my host,” he said. “And he’s a great dude. He’s a great player and I still text him today. So I’m gonna go Ty. He’s having an exceptional year.” That’s hard to argue. The Tide’s QB racked up 2,184 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and just one interception while leading Alabama to a 7-1 mark.

Caleb Downs didn’t bite on Jeremiah Smith either. He went the diplomatic route, picking Julian Sayin himself. “Julian Sayin is the leader for Caleb Downs for Heisman,” he said. “Playing great ball right now, leading in completion percentage. He’s leading his team at the highest level. Doing it himself. Doing it his own way. That’s my take. Julian Sayin for the Heisman.” That’s two teammates’ votes that don’t have their star receiver in it. 

Considering the talent pool, this class could be one of the best in the next NFL draft. But Jeremiah Smith’s current displays are comparable to LeBron James’s hype when he pursued his dream. However, when On3’s Week 10 Heisman rankings dropped, Jeremiah Smith’s name was nowhere to be found in the Top 10.

Ty Simpson topped it. Then came Fernando Mendoza, Marcel Reed, Diego Pavia, Julian Sayin, and others. Smith’s case is quietly overshadowed, even if his talent on the field screams otherwise. But that’s where this story turns interesting. Just days earlier, Smith showed exactly why his confidence never wavers. 

Jeremiah Smith isn’t afraid of challenging the whole locker room

The Big Ten Network tossed players a lighthearted question during a Buckeyes’ practice session last week. “Who could you beat in a 40-yard dash?” Jeremiah Smith didn’t hesitate. “Who can I beat on the team? I’m just gonna say everybody.” Classic alpha energy. Most teammates laughed it off. None dared to challenge him until defensive end Eddrick Houston stepped up, naming a few teammates before slyly adding, “Jeremiah Smith.” 

The reaction was eye-rolls, grins, and a collective “Oh no, he didn’t.” Eddrick Houston might’ve been playing around, but Jeremiah Smith wasn’t the guy you call out unless you’re ready to eat dust. The kid hit 23.5 mph on the GPS tracker earlier this year, earning “No.1 freak” honors from The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman. His challenger, for context, holds a 79 speed rating and 90 acceleration on EA Sports College Football 26. 

Jeremiah Smith may not yet be his teammates’ Heisman pick, but that might be his most significant advantage in a program built on internal fire. Because if there’s one thing he thrives on, it’s being doubted inside his house.