Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith has officially broken Cris Carter’s record for the most touchdown catches by a freshman wide receiver in the program’s history. FOX Sports lead college football analyst Joel Klatt praised Smith, calling him “the best true freshman wide receiver he has ever seen,” alongside Alabama’s Ryan Williams.
Adding to the excitement, RJ Young, a national college football analyst for FOX Sports, highlighted that Smith is already earning Heisman Trophy votes as a true freshman. Young boldly stated that Smith is destined to win the prestigious award before he concludes his college career.
In what has been an extraordinary freshman season in Columbus, Smith achieved another significant milestone on Saturday, surpassing Cris Carter’s record during a game where he showcased his remarkable skills.
With a 14-0 lead late in the first half, quarterback Will Howard connected with Smith on a crossing route. Smith then demonstrated his speed and agility by sprinting 17 yards into the end zone, extending the Buckeyes’ lead to 21-0.
Cris Carter, a consensus All-American during his time with the Buckeyes, quickly commended Smith for this impressive achievement, emphasizing the significance of breaking such a long-standing record.
Carter not only held the record for touchdown receptions but also for total receptions at 168, a mark that has since been surpassed. Smith’s accomplishment highlights the evolution of Ohio State’s receiving talent.
Entering Saturday’s matchup, Smith had already recorded 39 receptions for 678 yards and eight touchdown catches. After securing his ninth touchdown and breaking Carter’s record, he set his sights on the all-time record for touchdown receptions by a true freshman, currently held by Purdue’s Rondale Moore with 12 touchdowns in the 2018 season.
At his current pace, Smith is on track to exceed 60 receptions, accumulate over 1,000 receiving yards, and achieve at least 12 touchdowns during the regular season. This does not account for potential appearances in the Big Ten Championship Game and the College Football Playoff, which could further elevate his record-setting achievements.
