Ohio State’s wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has emerged as a standout player in the college football landscape. Currently in his second season, the 19-year-old has displayed exceptional skills on the field, amassing 49 receptions for 602 yards and seven touchdowns. This impressive performance places him at the top of the Big Ten statistics.
Ohio State’s Legacy of Excellence
The Buckeyes have established a reputation for producing elite wide receivers. Under the leadership of offensive coordinator Brian Hartline, the program has seen five former players selected in the first round of the NFL Draft over the past three years:
- Garrett Wilson (Jets) – 2022
- Chris Olave (Saints) – 2022
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seahawks) – 2023
- Marvin Harrison Jr. (Cardinals) – 2024
- Emeka Egbuka (Buccaneers) – 2025
This pipeline of talent has led many fans and analysts to crown Ohio State as “Wide Receiver University” or WRU.
LSU: A Strong Competitor
However, Ohio State faces tough competition from LSU, which has also produced a series of first-round NFL wide receivers over the past decade. Notable names from Baton Rouge include:
- Odell Beckham Jr. (Giants) – 2014
- Justin Jefferson (Vikings) – 2020
- Ja’Marr Chase (Bengals) – 2021
- Malik Nabers (Giants) – 2024
- Brian Thomas Jr. (Jaguars) – 2024
Jeremiah Smith’s Standpoint on WRU
In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Smith shared his perspective on the ongoing WRU debate. Despite being part of Ohio State’s renowned program, he acknowledged LSU’s current edge:
“It’s pretty tough, but I’m gonna have to say LSU right now. They got the two top guys. They got Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. Those guys are at the top of the top right now. But give us a couple of years and we’ll be at the top for sure.”
Smith’s honesty reflects the competitive spirit within college football. He also mentioned that Ohio State’s talent pool continues to grow, with rising stars like Carnell Tate projected as potential first-round picks in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Ohio State’s Current Season
The Buckeyes are off to an impressive 7-0 start this season. As they aim for their second consecutive national championship, they are set to face off against the Penn State Nittany Lions this Saturday in Columbus. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. ET.
