Jeremiah Smith Named Freshman of the Year Semifinalist

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Ohio State superstar freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has been incredible in his first year of college football. Due to his outstanding performance so far this season, he was named a semifinalist for the Maxwell Football Club's Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award.

Smith was listed with 13 other freshman players on Nov. 6. Five total Big Ten Conference players made the list, including two players from Minnesota (6-3, 4-2 B1G). Smith has been not only one of the most impressive freshmen in the country this season, but one of the most impressive players overall. The No. 3 Buckeyes (7-1, 4-1 B1G) have relied on the 18-year-old consistently so far this season.

Jeremiah Smith This Season

Smith showed his talent immediately this season, catching two touchdown passes in his first career game against Akron (2-7, 1-4 Mid-American Conference). He has made every type of explosive play a receiver can make this year. He has caught short passes and turned them into huge gains with his stellar acceleration and speed. Smith runs incredible routes that leave defenders helpless as he picks up countless first downs. He makes ridiculous one-handed grabs on 50-50 balls that aren't really 50-50 when they're thrown to him. On top of all of that, he is an excellent perimeter blocker. Wide receivers coach Brian Hartline has always expressed that his wide receivers will not see the field if they are not willing and able to block. Smith has been doing more than his part as a blocker from the start this year.

Smith broke the Ohio State freshman season receiving yards record against No. 6 Penn State (7-1, 4-1 B1G) on Nov. 2. He surpassed the legendary Cris Carter's total in just eight games. He now has 678 yards on the year, 30 yards more than Carter's former record. He has tied the freshman season receiving touchdowns record with 8, also held by Carter. He accomplished that with his 60-yard score against Nebraska (5-4, 2-4 B1G).

The most impressive part of Smith's game so far is his ability to make big plays in crucial moments. He caught a huge TD pass to help Ohio State take the lead in the third quarter against No. 1 Oregon (9-0, 6-0 B1G) on the road on Oct. 12. Smith had two huge plays to end the half against Michigan State (4-5, 2-4 B1G) as well. He brought in a one-handed pass for a huge gain as a defender pulled on his facemask, completely obstructing his vision. Immediately afterward, he caught a one-handed score down the sideline. Most recently, he ran a perfect out-route against Penn State to pick up a huge first down in the fourth quarter. Smith earned the trust of quarterback Will Howard very quickly this season. When the Buckeyes need to move the chains or score near the goal line, they look to the freshman.

Records Left to Break

Smith is on pace to absolutely shatter every freshman wide receiver record at Ohio State this season. He has played like a seasoned veteran from the moment he stepped foot on the field. Smith has 39 receptions, only 2 behind Carter's record of 41. He will very likely pass that feat this week against Purdue (1-7, 0-5 B1G) on Nov. 9.

Smith could also break the tie for freshman receiving touchdowns against Purdue. He had scored in each of Ohio State's games until playing Penn State. In that game, he and Howard couldn't connect as Smith was not expecting the ball on what would have been a walk-in TD. After he passes those two feats, Smith will only further extend his lead on the records that have stood since 1984. Next, he will begin closing the gap on various Ohio State career records. With two full seasons left to play in Columbus, Ohio, he will surely enter his name onto those lists as well.