The Heisman Trophy. The award given to College Football’s best player each year. And I know what you are thinking, “Wow, you really went out on a limb here to predict the best wide receiver since Larry Fitzgerald or Calvin Johnson to win the award?” (Complete with heavy eye roll). Yes. Yes I did. But knowing the history of the award, especially over the last 20 years, really shows how big of a challenge it would be for College Football’s best wide receiver to win the award. In the past 20 years, the Heisman Trophy has gone to 16 Quarterbacks, 2 Running backs, 1 Wide Receiver and 1 player who played both ways. For the longest time, the Heisman was starting to be viewed as a Quarterback award. And let’s be serious, a Quarterback will always have a leg up on the field. They’ll get more credit for big time wins and acknowledged as the face of the offense. That is why Jeremiah Smith winning the award is a longer shot than you think.
The case for Jeremiah Smith
When Jeremiah Smith came out of high school in 2024, he was the number 1 receiver and top overall prospect in that class. Taking a look at 24/7Sports prospect rankings, he comes in at 9th. That’s 9th as in 9th in ALL TIME prospects. Tied with Leonard Fournette and slightly ahead of Myles Garrett. He’s the best wide receiver and the only wide receiver to have above a 1.0000 grade. While the potential was there at 18, he had to work at it and meet that level of expectations. And his freshman year he did. As a true freshman, Smith burst onto the scene. Setting the freshman record at Ohio State for receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. He helped lead Ohio State to a natty. He did all of this while being the number three receiver with Carnell Tate and Emeka Egbuka, both first round draft picks. His sophomore year, he increased his receptions, had over 1200 receiving yards and 12 scores. In two years, his combined stats are 163 catches for 2558 yards and 27 touchdowns in just 29 games.
The signs for a possible Heisman Season
Over the past two seasons, Smith has performed when the lights have been the brightest. Voters call them Heisman moments. In two seasons, in the 13 toughest opponents that Ohio State has played (including CFP games), Smith has 70 catches for 1112 and 11 scores. That includes a 1/3/0 stat line against Texas in the Cotton Bowl. When he plays marquee competition, he becomes the most dominant wide receiver on the field. A player that jumps off the screen. Additionally, look at some of the defensive backs on these teams. Many of them are now on NFL rosters.
The reason why 2026 could be circled as a Heisman year for Jeremiah Smith is a combination of elite talent, stat production, a challenging schedule and expectations that Ohio State again will be competing for another Natty. The Buckeyes 2026 schedule is brutal. They currently have 6 teams that are in the AP Preseason Top 25. And America will be watching as the Buckeyes travel to Texas week 2, at Indiana week 7, host Oregon week 10 and the Wolverines on Thanksgiving weekend. Casual fans and voters all over the country will have an opportunity to see Smith’s elite talent. If he’s responsible for two or three big time moments in those games, he will quickly become the favorite to take home College Football’s top award. Yes, he will be have to battle the Arch Manning hype train or the Dante Moore Nike campaign. Then there is his own teammate, Julian Sayin, who was a Heisman finalist last season. While the field is loaded, Smith has the opportunity to do something truly special. If Jeremiah Smith continues his trajectory that we have seen in his first two years at Ohio State, then he could be the first true wide receiver since Devonta Smith to take home the top award. And if the Heisman is truly awarded to College Football’s best player, then it’s Jeremiah Smith world and everyone is just living in it.
