Ohio State Buckeyes’ wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has been named the top non-quarterback in ESPN’s Top 25 Best Non-Quarterback Players in college football for the 2025 season, positioning him as a leading contender for the Heisman Trophy. The 19-year-old sophomore, coming off a record-breaking freshman campaign, has captured the attention of analysts and fans alike, with his dynamic playmaking and NFL-caliber talent giving Ohio State a competitive edge in the Heisman race and beyond.
Smith’s 2024 season was nothing short of spectacular. As a true freshman, he led the Big Ten with 1,315 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns on 76 receptions, breaking Ohio State’s freshman receiving records previously set by Cris Carter in 1984. His standout performances included a 7-catch, 187-yard, two-touchdown MVP showing in the 2025 Rose Bowl against Oregon and a pivotal role in Ohio State’s National Championship victory. These feats earned him Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Big Ten Receiver of the Year, and first-team All-American honors from USA Today and ESPN.
ESPN’s ranking highlights Smith’s unique combination of size (6-foot-3, 215 pounds), speed, and route-running finesse. His ability to dominate contested catches, make highlight-reel one-handed grabs, and create separation with precise footwork makes him a matchup nightmare. As noted by an AFC personnel executive, Smith’s “size, quickness, and route-running feel” set him apart, particularly in high-stakes playoff games where he amassed 381 yards and five touchdowns across four contests.
With key Ohio State playmakers like quarterback Will Howard, running backs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson, and receiver Emeka Egbuka departing for the NFL, Smith is poised to become the centerpiece of the Buckeyes’ offense in 2025. ESPN projects his workload to increase significantly, potentially pushing him toward 1,800 yards and 20 touchdowns, numbers that could rival Heisman-winning seasons by past non-quarterbacks like DeVonta Smith in 2020.
Smith’s Heisman candidacy is further bolstered by his platform at Ohio State, a program fresh off a 2025 National Championship and ranked No. 1 in ESPN’s Way-Too-Early Top 25. Despite uncertainty at quarterback with Julian Sayin or another newcomer taking the helm, Smith’s ability to elevate the passing game is undeniable. His leadership, praised by coach Ryan Day for its humility and growth, adds to his narrative as a Heisman frontrunner.
Competing against quarterbacks like LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and Texas’ Arch Manning, Smith faces a challenging but open Heisman race, with no dominant returning signal-caller. His odds, tied with Clemson’s Cade Klubnik and Nussmeier as the shortest for a non-quarterback in over 15 years, reflect his potential to break the quarterback-heavy trend. As Ohio State opens the 2025 season against Texas, Smith’s performance could set the tone for a historic Heisman campaign, cementing his status as college football’s premier playmaker.
