Jeremiah Smith Shatters Big Ten Freshman Touchdown Record in Spectacular Fashion!

Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith breaks the Big Ten’s freshman touchdown receiving record. This remarkable achievement places him among the elite in college football history. 

The standout receiver for the Buckeyes made headlines by setting the single-season conference record for most touchdown receptions by a freshman. He accomplished this feat by catching a pass from Will Howard and sprinting 45 yards to score on Ohio State’s opening drive against Oregon in the Rose Bowl. 

This touchdown marked Smith’s 13th of the season, and he wasn’t done yet. In the second quarter, he broke free for a 43-yard touchdown, extending the Buckeyes’ lead to 24-0 over the Ducks. The previous Big Ten record was held by Rondale Moore of Purdue, who recorded 12 touchdown catches in 2018.

Earlier in the College Football Playoff, Smith tied the record during Ohio State’s first-round game against Tennessee. The 19-year-old showcased his skills with a game-high six catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns against the Volunteers. 

Continuing his stellar performance in the playoffs, he delivered a standout game against Oregon in the quarterfinals. With seven receptions for 187 yards and two touchdowns, Smith earned the title of Rose Bowl Offensive MVP following Ohio State’s decisive 41-21 victory.

So far this season, Smith has tallied 70 receptions for 1,224 yards and 14 touchdown receptions, all of which set new freshman records at Ohio State, surpassing the impressive numbers achieved by Cris Carter in 1984. Additionally, he has contributed with five carries for 52 yards and another touchdown on the ground, including a 5-yard rush against the Ducks.

Looking ahead, he has the opportunity to further enhance his statistics in the College Football Playoff semifinals, where Ohio State will compete against Texas in the Cotton Bowl. 

Arriving at Ohio State as the nation’s top recruit, Smith has certainly lived up to the expectations placed upon him.

“He’ll probably be the best receiver to come through here,” remarked Buckeyes cornerback Denzel Burke in the lead-up to the Rose Bowl. “He’s already on that verge, so really happy for him.”

Burke’s insights carry weight, given his experience playing alongside and against several recent Ohio State receivers who have made it to the NFL. Notable names include Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Marvin Harrison Jr., all of whom were selected in the top 20 of the last three drafts, with senior Emeka Egbuka potentially joining them this spring.

“I’ve seen a lot of great receivers,” Burke stated. “I’ve seen Garrett. I’ve seen Jaxon, seen Chris. I’ve seen Marvin Harrison — he was my class, too. So just being able to see that and being able to see those qualities in him. But he’s Jeremiah Smith. He’s a whole different person, so that’s awesome.”

With this record-breaking achievement, Smith has firmly established his place in Big Ten history.

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