After the best freshman wide receiver season in Ohio State history, Jeremiah Smith is expected to take a step forward in his second year, and has been named to the Maxwell Award watch list.
The Maxwell Award is given yearly to the best player in the country, voted on by sportscasters, writers and head coaches in the game. Last year, the honor went to Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty.
Smith is one of just seven wide receivers who were included on the long 80-player list, and it isn’t the first recognition he has received leading up to the 2025 season. He has also been named a Walter Camp preseason All-American and was one of three Buckeyes who received Big Ten preseason honors.
He is coming off of a freshman season in which he had 76 receptions for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns, breaking Cris Carter’s freshman records, being named a first-team All-American by USA Today and earning Big Ten Wide Receiver of the Year and Freshman of the Year.
