Jeremiah Smith has been nothing short of spectacular in 2025. The Ohio State star wide receiver has shattered records, including the FBS single-season mark for receiving yards and touchdowns as a true freshman. Although he has been a little beat up for the past few weeks, which resulted in his absence in the Buckeyes clash against Rutgers, the 19-year-old is still drawing sharp attention for the prestigious Biletnikoff Award.

This award goes every year to the top college football receiver in the NCAA’s Division I FBS. And this time, the finalists are Skyler Bell of UConn, Makai Lemon of USC, and finally, Jeremiah Smith himself. Last year, it was Colorado Buffaloes’ Travis Hunter who swept this award, and Smith is most likely following the same trail. The winner will be announced in December, and all three guys are hoping to add their names to the award’s long list of big-time past winners. A week back, both Smith and Carnell Tate were the semifinalists among 13 candidates.

But there is a reason why Smith cut. Jeremiah has been a laser-focused target all season. He racked up 69 catches for 902 yards and 10 touchdowns, which ranks him top 10 nationally in multiple categories like receptions, yards, and scores. Even when he played less than half of the UCLA game, Jeremiah made a jaw-dropping one-handed catch on the sidelines. He is a massive fan favorite and a nightmare for defenders. His consistency and clutch plays are why he’s not just a Biletnikoff semifinalist but also up for the Maxwell and Walter Camp Player of the Year awards.

The fun part is, Smith hasn’t just started making noise this year. He’s been one of the Buckeyes’ most talked-about receivers since his freshman season. Smith shattered a bunch of Ohio State freshman receiving records with 1,315 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 57 catches. He picked up the Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year and the Thompson-Randle-El Freshman of the Year awards in 2024. Smith played a huge role in Ohio State’s 2025 National Championship win over Notre Dame.

People are already comparing him to NFL stars like Julio Jones and Calvin Johnson, which shows just how high the expectations are for his future. Sure, Smith’s looked a little human lately. He tweaked a lower-body thing around the UCLA game. But it feels more like Ohio State wrapping their star in bubble wrap than some scary meltdown. The Buckeyes know the real season starts in Ann Arbor. So it feels like Jeremiah’s been quietly recharging for his moment in The Game.

The prodigal wide receiver returns 

Jeremiah Smith finally opened up about his recent injury ahead of the huge Ohio State vs. Michigan clash. And let me tell you, it’s a relief for Buckeye fans. After weeks of speculation due to his limited on-field action, Jeremiah said he’s dealing with a “minor” but nagging issue that slowed him down recently. But Jeremiah made it clear his focus hasn’t wavered. “I’m feeling good,” Smith said.

“You know, dealing with a little situation, injury-wise. But I should be good to go Saturday.” His role as Ohio State’s top receiver can’t be overstated. Jeremiah’s presence alone forces Michigan’s defense to spread thin. Ryan Day has been very optimistic about the development ahead of The Game. “Our guys had an excellent week of work in terms of focus, and it was an opportunity for guys to step up in different ways. Whether it was special teams or on offense, you know, nobody really flinched,” Day said.

“Everyone was like, ‘Come on, let’s go play.’ I think that’s been the approach of this team and this coaching staff. It’ll be the same way this week.” The Game holds major importance this season. The Buckeyes have lost their last four matchups against Michigan, and with their current momentum, the dominance slightly leans towards the Buckeyes. And Jeremiah Smith’s return is the cherry on top.