Ohio State Announces Big Jeremiah Smith, Caleb Downs News on Thursday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cole Sullivan | Last updated May 15, 2025 3:24 PM ET

The Ohio State Buckeyes are now just over three months removed from their historic run in the College Football Playoff, which came after a gut-wrenching loss to Michigan in the final week of the regular season.

That loss sent shockwaves through Columbus, as Buckeye fans never take defeats to Michigan lightly. But Ohio State got a rare shot at redemption—clinching a berth in the College Football Playoff—and they capitalized on it in dominant fashion.

The Buckeyes rattled off four straight double-digit victories over Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame to capture their first national championship since 2014. Two of their biggest contributors during that run are returning in 2025 and are set to lead the charge in pursuit of back-to-back titles: sophomore wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and junior safety Caleb Downs.

On Thursday, Ohio State announced some major recognition for the two stars. According to On3’s "Impact Top 10" rankings, Smith was named the No. 1 most impactful player in college football, while Downs came in at No. 3.

.@On3sports Impact Top

1️⃣ @Jermiah_Smith1
3️⃣ @caleb_downs2 pic.twitter.com/pDOQCjlAlE
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) May 15, 2025

What Jeremiah Smith accomplished as a freshman was nothing short of remarkable, and now he’ll look to build on that success with a new quarterback under center. Ohio State is currently in the midst of a quarterback battle between Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz, but all signs point to Sayin—the former five-star transfer from Alabama—getting the nod this season.

As a freshman, Smith recorded 76 receptions for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns, including five scores during the College Football Playoff. His standout performance came in the quarterfinals against Oregon, where he caught seven passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns.

On the defensive side, Caleb Downs was the anchor of the Buckeyes' secondary. He consistently disrupted opposing offenses—whether it was making tackles near the line of scrimmage, in open space, or dropping back in coverage. A true do-it-all defender, Downs earned All-American honors after totaling 82 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two interceptions, and six pass deflections.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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