The Ohio State football team might have the best team in the country, even though it lost to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship. Despite that loss, they have one of the most talented rosters in the country. A large reason for that is the presence of Jeremiah Smith.
Smith came into the season as the consensus best receiver in college football. Many thought he was the best player, period. His impact out wide is hard to overstate because the attention he draws from the defense opens up opportunities for other players.
Even with all of these facts, those who vote on the Biletnikoff Award, which is given to the best receiver in college football, didn't agree. Despite finishing sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting, he was not awarded the Biletnikoff. It instead went to a Big Ten foe.
Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith loses out on Biletnikoff Award
Instead of Smith winning the award. USC receiver Makai Lemon won it. Smith sent a post on social media that seems to indicate that he is going to use this for motivation.
— Jeremiah Smith (@Jermiah_Smith1) December 13, 2025
This is a scary thought for the rest of the participants in the College Football Playoff. The Ohio State Buckeyes will take on the winner between Texas A&M and Miami. The Buckeyes feel good about taking on either opponent, especially if Smith is going to go scorched Earth.
A motivated Smith can do pretty much anything on the football field. He will have three weeks to heal from the injury that hampered him at the end of he season. He should be fully healthy by the time the first game rolls around. Now, it's time for Ohio State to use him in the red zone more.
Brian Hartline's ability to call plays in the final days of his OSU employment will correlate to how often he gets Smith the ball. Getting him the ball is almost never a bad idea.