Hold onto your hats, because Jeremiah Smith is rewriting the record books at Ohio State—and he’s doing it faster than anyone expected. For the second consecutive season, Smith has shattered the 1,000-yard receiving mark, solidifying his place among the Buckeyes’ all-time greats. But here’s where it gets even more impressive: at just a sophomore, he’s already joined the elite company of Marvin Harrison Jr. as the only Ohio State players to achieve back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. And this is the part most people miss—Smith’s teammate, Emeka Egbuka, also hit this milestone twice, in 2022 and 2024, showcasing the program’s incredible receiver talent in recent years.
Smith’s latest feat came in the Big Ten Championship Game against No. 2 Indiana, where a 52-yard catch in the second quarter pushed him past the 1,000-yard threshold. This marks the 13th time in Ohio State history a player has reached this benchmark, with a staggering eight of those seasons occurring in the last five years. Let that sink in—Ohio State’s receiving corps is on an unprecedented tear.
Here’s a closer look at the Buckeyes’ 1,000-yard receivers and how quickly they reached the mark:
| Player | Year | Games to Reach 1,000 | Final Yards |
|----------------------|----------|--------------------------|-----------------|
| Cris Carter | 1986 | 12 | 1,127 |
| Terry Glenn | 1995 | 8 | 1,411 |
| David Boston | 1998 | 10 | 1,435 |
| Michael Jenkins | 2002 | 13 | 1,076 |
| Parris Campbell | 2018 | 14 | 1,063 |
| Jaxon Smith-Njigba | 2021 | 10 | 1,606 |
| Garrett Wilson | 2021 | 12 | 1,058 |
| Marvin Harrison Jr. | 2022 | 11 | 1,263 |
| Emeka Egbuka | 2022 | 12 | 1,151 |
| Marvin Harrison Jr. | 2023 | 10 | 1,211 |
| Jeremiah Smith | 2024 | 13 | 1,315 |
| Emeka Egbuka | 2024 | 16 | 1,011 |
| Jeremiah Smith | 2025 | 12 | TBD |
Nine of these 13 seasons were achieved under the guidance of Brian Hartline, Ohio State’s soon-to-depart offensive coordinator and newly minted head coach of South Florida. Hartline’s legacy at the position is untouchable, and his impact on players like Smith and Egbuka cannot be overstated. But here’s a controversial thought: Is Hartline’s success a product of his coaching genius, or is he simply benefiting from recruiting elite talent? Let’s debate that in the comments.
Heading into Saturday’s game, Smith had already amassed 72 receptions for 942 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season. In less than two years, he’s racked up 148 receptions, 2,257 yards, and 26 touchdowns—numbers that put him within striking distance of Ohio State’s all-time records. Excluding his performance against Indiana, Smith is just 58 catches away from the career receptions record, 642 yards shy of the receiving yardage record, and 10 touchdowns from the receiving touchdowns record. With a playoff run and another full season ahead before he’s draft-eligible, these records are his to lose.
Smith’s trophy case is already overflowing. He’s been named first-team All-Big Ten and Big Ten Receiver of the Year for the second straight season, and he’s a finalist for the prestigious Biletnikoff Award, given to college football’s top receiver. But the real question is: Can Smith surpass legends like Cris Carter and David Boston to become the greatest receiver in Ohio State history? Share your thoughts below—this is a debate worth having. One thing’s for sure: Jeremiah Smith isn’t just making history; he’s redefining what’s possible.
