Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith is now the Heisman favorite following historic performance

Sep 27, 2026 - 01:03

Updated: 16 hours ago

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Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith is now the Heisman favorite following historic performance

Ohio State is now wide receiver university. They dish out elite NFL prospects like Capri Sun and orange slices after a youth soccer game. The university has an incredible streak of five consecutive drafts with a first-round wide receiver (2022–2026), featuring standouts like Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, and Carnell Tate. Jeremiah Smith will undoubtedly extend that streak and his historic performance against Illinois on Saturday helped solidify why he's the best wide receiver in the country.

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During a 42-19 victory over the Fighting Illini, the Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith connection reached historic levels. Smith became only the fifth Buckeye with 4 TDs in a single game, tying the Ohio State single game touchdown record. Smith finished the game with 217 yards receiving, becoming only the second Buckeye receiver with 200+ yards receiving and 4 touchdown receptions in a single game.

Smith is now the Heisman favorite, leapfrogging Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and Miami quarterback Darian Mensah.

The Buckeyes have now outscored their opponents 101-22 in their two games following their upset loss to Texas. They'll face their biggest test since that loss against the defensively-stout Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday, Oct. 3.

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Smith moved to the front of the Heisman race after a huge game against Illinois in Ohio State's 42-19 win. His production and record-tying four-touchdown performance pushed him ahead of Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and Miami quarterback Darian Mensah.

Smith tied Ohio State's single-game touchdown record by scoring four times, becoming just the fifth Buckeye to do that in one game. He also posted 217 receiving yards, making him only the second Ohio State receiver with both 200-plus yards and four touchdown catches in a single game.

The Sayin-to-Smith connection powered Ohio State's offense in the victory over the Fighting Illini. Smith finished with 217 receiving yards and four touchdown receptions as the Buckeyes won by 23 points.

Ohio State has produced a first-round wide receiver in five straight drafts from 2022 through 2026. That run includes Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, and Carnell Tate, with Smith expected to continue the streak.

The Buckeyes next face Iowa on Saturday, Oct. 3. The matchup matters because Iowa is described as a strong defensive team and represents Ohio State's toughest test since its upset loss to Texas.