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Ohio State Reacts to Jeremiah Smith News on Monday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cole Sullivan | Last updated Jul 28, 2025 2:17 PM ET

The Ohio State Buckeyes are coming off a dominant run in last season’s College Football Playoff, which ended with their first national championship victory since 2014—more than a decade ago.

A key factor in their success was standout freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who quickly emerged not just as the top wideout in the Big Ten, but arguably the best in the nation.

Now entering his sophomore season, Ohio State announced that Smith has been named to the Maxwell Award preseason watchlist—an honor given annually to college football’s most outstanding player.

"@Jermiah_Smith1 has been Named to Maxwell Award Watch List," Ohio State posted.

.@Jermiah_Smith1 has been Named to Maxwell Award Watch List pic.twitter.com/AMMHytbHsK
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) July 28, 2025

Jeremiah Smith and the Buckeyes are set to open the season on Aug. 30 in Columbus against the Texas Longhorns—a rematch of last year’s College Football Playoff semifinal, which Ohio State won.

Smith had a historic postseason run, racking up five touchdowns across four games. He finished his freshman season with 76 receptions, 1,315 yards, and 15 touchdowns.

According to head coach Ryan Day, Smith enters this season "bigger, faster, and stronger"—a scary thought for any opposing defense.

He’s gotten bigger and stronger and faster than he was last year,” Day said. “He was at workouts the other day, and [strength and conditioning coach Mickey Marotti] constantly says during our warmups, he’s the first guy every time we run through and we’re warming up. The first guy every single time. He just sets such a standard. You don’t need to motivate Jeremiah.”

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

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