Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has emerged as an early frontrunner for the 2025 Heisman Trophy, with oddsmakers listing him at +1200 to win college football’s most prestigious award.
CBS Sports’ Shehan Jeyarajah identifies Smith as the player to watch despite the award not being presented until December.
“Smith is the presumptive best player in college football after exploding for 381 yards and five touchdowns in the College Football Playoff,” Jeyarajah wrote. “His workload should only increase in 2025 as the Buckeyes replace numerous key pieces. Quarterback Will Howard, 1,000-yard running backs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson and 1,000-yard receiver Emeka Egbuka are all gone. Would surprise anyone if Smith manages to push towards the 1,800-yard or 20-touchdown plateaus as an undisputed centerpiece of the offense?”
Smith’s increased role comes as Ohio State must replace its starting quarterback, two 1,000-yard running backs, and a 1,000-yard receiver from last season.
Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day has been careful not to overhype his star receiver.
“I think we always want to draw our comparisons because that’s what we do naturally,” Day said. “Whether it’s players or coaches, it’s easy for everyone to say, ‘Well, he’s this person’ and not kind of put him in a box but sort of categorize him based on someone who has come before [him]. Jeremiah is his own person.”
Day noted that Smith has quickly developed into a team leader.
“From the get-go, he had the look in his eye that he wanted to make an impact as a freshman,” Day added. “His teammates will tell you the same thing. He’s earned the respect of the teammates, not because of his [football] ability. You guys see his ability, but to me, it’s the work ethic every day. He comes in; He’s serious. He doesn’t say a whole lot, but but when he does, people listen.”
Smith’s Heisman campaign will officially begin when Ohio State opens its season in August.
