Ohio State Buckeyes’ wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has emerged as a frontrunner for the 2025 Heisman Trophy, with his exceptional talent and the team’s championship pedigree positioning him to potentially make history. As of July 2025, Smith’s Heisman odds range from +900 to +1400 across major sportsbooks, placing him among the top contenders, a rare feat for a non-quarterback. His remarkable freshman season and the Buckeyes’ ambition to surpass USC, Oklahoma, and Notre Dame for the most Heisman Trophies in college football history make this a compelling narrative for the upcoming season.
Smith, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound sophomore, dominated in 2024, recording 76 receptions for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns, earning All-American honors and the Rose Bowl MVP. His performance against Oregon in the College Football Playoff, where he hauled in seven catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns, showcased his ability to shine on the biggest stages. Smith’s +900 odds at ESPN BET tie him with quarterbacks like Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, trailing only Texas’ Arch Manning and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier. This places him ahead of his teammate, quarterback Julian Sayin (+1600), a testament to his individual brilliance.
Historically, wide receivers rarely win the Heisman, with only four—Nebraska’s Johnny Rodgers (1972), Notre Dame’s Tim Brown (1987), Alabama’s DeVonta Smith (2020), and Colorado’s Travis Hunter (2024)—claiming the award. Smith’s odds are the shortest for a non-quarterback since 2018, reflecting his unique combination of production, highlight-reel plays, and national exposure as a cover athlete for EA Sports College Football 26. Former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer has boldly predicted Smith will win the 2025 Heisman, calling him “the best player in the country in maybe the last decade.”
Ohio State’s pursuit of Heisman history adds intrigue. The Buckeyes have seven Heisman winners, tied with Oklahoma and trailing USC and Notre Dame, each with eight. A Smith victory would tie Ohio State with USC and Notre Dame, while a win by Sayin could push them closer to the lead. The last Buckeye to win was quarterback Troy Smith in 2006, and Jeremiah Smith’s emergence could end that drought. With Ohio State favored to repeat as national champions (+525 at BetMGM), Smith’s platform is ideal for a Heisman campaign.
Smith’s case is bolstered by Ohio State’s offensive infrastructure, led by new offensive coordinator Brian Hartline, who has a track record of developing elite receivers. However, challenges remain. Smith’s success depends on chemistry with Sayin, a redshirt freshman with limited experience. The Heisman race is also crowded with talented quarterbacks like Manning (+650), Nussmeier (+850), and Klubnik (+950). Still, Smith’s ability to produce game-changing plays and his team’s high-profile matchups against Texas, Penn State, and Michigan position him to break the quarterback-dominated Heisman trend.
As Ohio State aims to cement its legacy, Jeremiah Smith’s 2025 campaign could redefine Heisman history, bringing the Buckeyes closer to the all-time lead while establishing him as a generational talent.
