Jeremiah Smith is not just the best wide receiver in college football — he might be the best college football player, period. The 20-year-old Ohio State junior has spent three seasons dismantling defenses, rewriting record books, and building a case as the most talented receiver prospect of his generation.
This profile covers Jeremiah Smith’s age, career, stats, records, and football success as of October 2026. It traces his path from Opa-locka, Florida, to the top of the recruiting rankings, through a freshman season for the ages, to the brink of NFL stardom.
With Ohio State’s all-time receiving yards record already in hand and the 2027 NFL Draft approaching, Smith is playing for history every Saturday. Here is the complete story.
Jeremiah Smith Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Jeremiah Smith |
| Born | November 29, 2005, Opa-locka, Florida |
| Age (2026) | 20 years old |
| Height / weight | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) / ~215 lbs (95 kg) |
| Position | Wide receiver (#4) |
| School | Ohio State (2024–present) |
| High school | Chaminade-Madonna Prep, Hollywood, Florida |
| Recruiting rank | No. 1 overall recruit, class of 2024 |
| Career stats (thru 4 games 2026) | 196 rec, 3,175 yds, 34 TDs |
| Records | Ohio State all-time receiving yards leader; FBS freshman records (yards, TDs) |
| Awards | 2× Big Ten Receiver of the Year; unanimous All-American (2025); national champion (2024) |
| NIL deals | Red Bull, Adidas; EA Sports College Football 26 cover athlete |
| Draft outlook | Projected top pick, 2027 NFL Draft |
Who Is Jeremiah Smith?
Jeremiah Smith is a junior wide receiver for the Ohio State Buckeyes and the most celebrated college football player in America. At 6-foot-3 with elite speed, strength, and ball skills, he has dominated since the moment he arrived in Columbus.
He was the No. 1 overall recruit in the class of 2024, and he has exceeded even that hype. As a true freshman, he set FBS records for receiving yards and touchdowns by a freshman while helping Ohio State win the national championship.
As a sophomore, he earned unanimous All-American honors and finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting — nearly unheard of for a wide receiver. As a junior, he has already become Ohio State’s all-time leading receiver.
NFL scouts speak about him the way they once spoke about Calvin Johnson and Julio Jones: a generational talent, the likely first receiver taken in the 2027 draft, and possibly the first wideout ever selected No. 1 overall.
Jeremiah Smith Age and Early Life
Jeremiah Smith was born on November 29, 2005, in Opa-locka, Florida, making him 20 years old as of 2026. He grew up in Opa-locka, a small city just north of Miami where football is a way of life.
By middle school, his size and athleticism already separated him from his peers. Football in South Florida is intensely competitive — the region produces more NFL talent per capita than almost anywhere on earth — and Smith stood out even there.
He is the cousin of Geno Smith, the veteran NFL quarterback. Football runs in the family, and Jeremiah grew up around the game at its highest level.
His path to stardom ran through Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Hollywood, Florida, one of the nation’s premier high school programs.
High School Dominance
At Chaminade-Madonna Prep, Jeremiah Smith became the most coveted high school receiver in America. As a senior, he caught 88 passes for more than 1,376 yards and 19 touchdowns, leading his team to a state championship.
He earned the title of the nation’s top receiver and, eventually, the No. 1 overall recruit in the class of 2024 — regardless of position. Every major program wanted him.
When he committed to Ohio State, fans expected him to extend the Buckeyes’ wide receiver legacy, which had produced four first-round NFL Draft picks in the previous five years. The program known as “Wide Receiver U” was getting its most talented prospect yet.
Before he ever caught a pass in Ohio Stadium, the legend was already building. Murmurs of the 18-year-old from Florida being the next great Buckeye receiver echoed through Columbus long before he suited up.
Freshman Season (2024): Instant Stardom
Jeremiah Smith’s freshman season is the stuff of legend. Then came his first college drive: on the Buckeyes’ second play from scrimmage in the opener against Akron, the ball slipped through his hands. It would be the last drop of the season.
He finished 2024 with 76 receptions for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns across 16 games, adding a rushing touchdown for good measure. The numbers set FBS freshman records for receiving yards and touchdowns.
More importantly, he helped Ohio State win the national championship. In the biggest games of the season, the freshman played like a veteran — running crisp routes, winning contested catches, and making plays when they mattered most.
Head coach Ryan Day summed it up: “You can see the talent. Sometimes you look at him and you don’t think he’s quite human, but he is. He’s just built different.” Smith was named Big Ten Receiver of the Year as a true freshman.
Sophomore Season (2025): Unanimous All-American
Smith’s sophomore campaign proved the freshman year was no fluke. He caught 87 passes for 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns in 13 games, repeating as Big Ten Receiver of the Year and earning unanimous All-American honors.
He finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting — an extraordinary achievement for a wide receiver in an award dominated by quarterbacks. His consistency was remarkable: he produced against every defense Ohio State faced.
The season had its dramatic moments. Against Purdue, he posted 10 catches for 137 yards and a touchdown. In the Big Ten Championship Game loss to Indiana, he had 8 receptions for 144 yards. In the Cotton Bowl loss to Miami, he added 7 catches for 157 yards and a score.
One highlight became an instant classic: on an 11-yard pass from quarterback Julian Sayin, Smith caught a tipped ball with one hand for a touchdown — a play that showcased the absurd ball skills that define his game.
Junior Season (2026): The Record Falls
The 2026 season has been a victory lap through the Ohio State record book. Through four games, Smith has 33 receptions for 617 yards and 7 touchdowns — on pace for his third straight 1,200-yard, 12-touchdown season.
The signature moment came in Week 3 against Kent State. Needing 26 yards to pass Michael Jenkins’ school record of 2,898 career receiving yards (set from 2000–2003), Smith got there on a 23-yard catch from Julian Sayin in the first quarter. He did it in just 32 games.
Ohio State played a video message from Jenkins on the stadium boards congratulating Smith. He posted a photo on Instagram captioned “LEGENDARY” — and LeBron James, the Akron native and longtime Buckeyes supporter, replied: “H.I.M.”
Then came Week 4 against Illinois: 12 catches, 217 yards, 4 touchdowns in a 42–19 win, earning Big Ten and National Player of the Week honors. It was a reminder that records are nice, but dominance is the point.
After the Kent State game, Smith noted he had “two more to get” — the school records for career receptions (Emeka Egbuka’s 205) and receiving touchdowns (Chris Olave’s 35). Both are within reach.
What Makes Jeremiah Smith Special
Scouts and analysts struggle to find weaknesses in Jeremiah Smith’s game, because there are so few. His combination of size (6’3″, 215 lbs), speed, and ball skills is rare at any level.
Cincinnati Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase, himself one of the NFL’s elite receivers, offered the ultimate compliment in October 2026: “The dude is crazy good. If you make contested catches, that’s an A-plus, not a B.” Chase called Smith one of the best — if not the best — receivers in college.
His contested-catch ability is his signature trait. When the ball is in the air, Smith plays like it belongs to him — high-pointing throws, absorbing contact, and securing catches that most receivers would not attempt.
His route running is equally advanced. He creates separation with precise footwork and understands leverage like a veteran. Add reliable hands — remember, one drop as a freshman, then none the rest of the season — and the package is essentially complete.
NIL Deals and Off-Field Profile
Jeremiah Smith’s marketability matches his on-field stardom. In September 2024, he became the first college football athlete to sign an NIL deal with Red Bull — a landmark in the name, image, and likeness era.
In July 2025, he signed an endorsement agreement with Adidas to appear in brand marketing campaigns. He was also one of the cover athletes for EA Sports College Football 26, alongside Ryan Coleman-Williams.
These deals reflect his status as the face of college football. In the NIL era, the sport’s biggest stars earn like professionals — and Smith is the biggest star of all. The hype machine around him runs from sports media voices like Pat McAfee to LeBron James himself.
Like other young sports phenoms we profile — from NFL star CeeDee Lamb to cricket sensation Tilak Varma — Smith shows how elite young athletes now build brands before they turn professional.
2027 NFL Draft Outlook
Jeremiah Smith is by far the most likely wide receiver to be taken first in the 2027 NFL Draft, assuming he declares as expected after his junior season. The more interesting question is how high he can go.
Could he be the No. 1 overall pick? No wide receiver has gone first overall in the modern draft era, but if any player could break that drought, it would be Smith. His most competition may come from elite quarterback prospects and fellow receiver Cam Coleman.
NFL teams picking at the top covet transformative talents, and Smith profiles as exactly that — a prospect drawing comparisons to Julio Jones, Calvin Johnson, and Ja’Marr Chase.
His draft stock is essentially bulletproof barring injury. Every game is an audition, and every audition has been excellent.
The Ohio State Wide Receiver Legacy
Jeremiah Smith now sits atop the receiving records of “Wide Receiver U” — a program that has produced an assembly line of NFL stars. Passing Michael Jenkins’ yardage mark puts him ahead of names like Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Emeka Egbuka in the school’s history.
What separates Smith from those excellent predecessors is the combination of production and physical dominance at such a young age. He was the best receiver in college football as an 18-year-old freshman. That simply does not happen.
Ohio State’s receiver room remains loaded, but Smith is the sun around which it orbits. Defensive coordinators build entire game plans around stopping him — and still cannot.
When his college career ends, the debate will begin about where he ranks among the all-time Buckeye greats. The numbers already make a compelling case for No. 1.
The 2026 Season So Far: Game by Game
Jeremiah Smith’s junior season has been a week-by-week showcase. Here is how the first four games unfolded:
Week 1 vs. Ball State (W 56–3)
Smith opened the season with 8 catches for 151 yards and 2 touchdowns — all in the first half — as Ohio State cruised. It was a statement: the junior was not easing into anything.
Week 2 vs. Texas (L 23–24)
In a top-five showdown, Smith posted 8 catches for 164 yards and a touchdown, but Ohio State fell 24–23. Even in defeat, he was the best player on the field, repeatedly beating elite Texas defensive backs.
Week 3 vs. Kent State (W 59–3)
The record game. Smith needed 26 yards to pass Michael Jenkins; he got them in the first quarter on a 23-yard catch from Julian Sayin. He finished with 5 catches for 85 yards, sitting the second half of the blowout — and left as Ohio State’s all-time receiving yards leader.
Week 4 vs. Illinois (W 42–19)
The masterpiece: 12 receptions, 217 yards, 4 touchdowns. Smith was uncoverable, earning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week and national honors. Illinois knew the ball was going to him. It did not matter.
Heisman Trophy Chances
Can a wide receiver win the Heisman? History says it is brutally hard — only four pure receivers have ever done it. But Jeremiah Smith finished sixth in 2025 voting, and his 2026 campaign is built for a serious run.
The case for Smith: historic production, record-breaking milestones, highlight-reel plays every week, and the “best player in the sport” narrative. Voters love a story, and Smith’s is undeniable.
The case against: quarterbacks dominate the award, and Ohio State’s early loss to Texas hurt. He will likely need signature moments in the biggest games — against Michigan, in the Big Ten title race, in the playoff — to break through.
His competition includes quarterbacks like Ole Miss’s Trinidad Chambliss and Miami’s Darian Mensah, plus Miami receiver Malachi Toney, with whom Smith has developed a friendly rivalry. Through three games, the two have traded big performances — must-watch theater for award voters.
Smith vs. the All-Time Greats
Where does Jeremiah Smith rank among college football’s greatest receivers? Three seasons in, the comparison set is already the sport’s royalty.
Vs. Ohio State legends: He has passed Michael Jenkins in yardage and is chasing Emeka Egbuka’s reception record (205) and Chris Olave’s touchdown record (35). Statistically, he is already the most productive Buckeye receiver ever — and he did it faster than any of them.
Vs. recent stars: His freshman numbers (1,315 yards, 15 TDs) compare favorably with the best freshman seasons in history. His career trajectory mirrors Ja’Marr Chase’s LSU dominance — and Chase himself has anointed Smith as the best in college.
Vs. the NFL prototypes: Scouts invoke Julio Jones and Calvin Johnson — 6’3″+, physical, explosive — as physical comps. If Smith’s NFL career matches even a fraction of those, he will be a Hall of Fame candidate.
The honest assessment: it is too early for all-time rankings, but Smith is on the steepest trajectory of any receiver in recent memory.
The Business of Being Jeremiah Smith
Smith’s NIL portfolio — Red Bull, Adidas, EA Sports — is just the visible part of his brand. As the face of college football, his earning power in the NIL era is enormous, likely in the millions annually.
The Red Bull deal was historic: the first college football athlete signed by the energy drink giant. The Adidas partnership put him in global marketing campaigns. The College Football 26 cover made him the digital face of the sport.
These deals also preview his NFL marketability. Brands are investing in Smith now because they expect him to be a star for the next decade-plus. The NFL’s next great receiver pitchman is already under contract.
For Ohio State, Smith is equally valuable — a recruiting magnet who proves the program develops the nation’s best receivers. Five-star recruits watch Smith’s highlights and imagine themselves in scarlet and gray.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Jeremiah Smith?
Jeremiah Smith was born on November 29, 2005, in Opa-locka, Florida, which makes him 20 years old as of 2026. He is a junior wide receiver at Ohio State and one of the top prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft.
What are Jeremiah Smith’s college stats?
Through four games of the 2026 season, Jeremiah Smith’s career totals at Ohio State are 196 receptions for 3,175 yards and 34 touchdowns. His best season was 2024 as a freshman: 76 catches, 1,315 yards, and 15 touchdowns, helping Ohio State win the national championship.
What records does Jeremiah Smith hold?
Jeremiah Smith is Ohio State’s all-time leader in career receiving yards, passing Michael Jenkins’ mark of 2,898 yards in September 2026 — doing it in just 32 games. He set FBS freshman records for receiving yards (1,315) and touchdowns (15) in 2024 and has twice been named Big Ten Receiver of the Year.
When is Jeremiah Smith eligible for the NFL Draft?
Jeremiah Smith is expected to declare for the 2027 NFL Draft after his junior season. He is widely projected as the top wide receiver in the class and a candidate to go first overall — which would make him the first WR taken No. 1 in the modern draft era.
Who is Jeremiah Smith related to?
Jeremiah Smith is the cousin of Geno Smith, the NFL quarterback. He grew up in Opa-locka, Florida, and starred at Chaminade-Madonna Prep, where he was the nation’s No. 1 recruit in the class of 2024.
Jeremiah Smith’s college career is already one of the greatest in Ohio State history, and it is not over yet. With records falling, the Heisman in play, and the NFL Draft on the horizon, the 20-year-old is writing a story that will be told for decades.
From Opa-locka to the top of the record book, from the nation’s No. 1 recruit to the nation’s best player — Jeremiah Smith has been inevitable from the start. The only question left is how high he can go.
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