Ohio State star wideout Jeremiah Smith has seen his fame and notoriety rise exponentially since his record-breaking sophomore season, and perhaps the best indicator of that was him being placed on the cover of EA Sports’ College Football 26 video game alongside fellow sophomore wide receiver Ryan Williams of Alabama.
When the game is released on July 10, Smith will be its highest-rated player, as on Tuesday EA Sports revealed that he would receive a near-perfect 99 overall rating, the first of its kind in the new era of this game. Last year — when the game returned following an 11-year hiatus — Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter earned a 98 overall rating.
Smith, who is also on the deluxe cover of the popular game alongside OSU head coach Ryan Day and safety Caleb Downs, among many others, earns the high rating after a spectacular true freshman season in which he smashed each of Cris Carter’s single-season freshman records, catching 76 passes for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns in 16 games. He was named a freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) for that performance.
Smith will look to turn in a similarly productive season next season as the clear No. 1 option on a new-look Ohio State offense that is now led by Brian Hartline and either Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz at quarterback. When asked about a potential Heisman campaign for the 2025 season during an interview with FOX Sports’ Michael Cohen, Smith said although the honor would be humbling, he ultimately wants to help bring another title to Columbus.
“I definitely want to win (the Heisman Trophy),” Smith said. “But I’m just all about the team first. I just want to win that big one, that national championship. That’s all I really care about.”
“We’ve got to repeat and win it again,” he added.
