Could Jeremiah Smith be a potential Heisman finalist in the future? From the stats, it looks like he’s on the right track. Smith, wide receiver for Ohio State, stands at 6’3 and 216 pounds and has gotten many early nods as a Heisman hopeful.
The Heisman trophy is an award that college football hands out. It’s similar to the MVP in the NFL. According to Britannica, “The Heisman Trophy, award given annually to the most outstanding college football player in the United States as determined by a poll of sportswriters. The trophy was instituted in 1935 by the Downtown Athletic Club of New York City, and in 1936 it was named in honor of its first athletic director, John Heisman, a player and successful coach of the 1890’s and early 1900’s.”
A website called landgrandholyland.com states, “Smith is putting up numbers that cannot be ignored.” The website also states, “Jeremiah Smith looked well beyond his years in his debut season at Ohio State” and noted that he earned the Big Ten Receiver of the Year award as a freshman. They called him “one of the the most reliable, explosive and acrobatic wide outs in the country.”
Smith also a big part in Ohio State’s playoff run and ultimately the team’s win in the National Championship.
The College Football Network states that he only grew stronger in the playoffs, breaking the Ohio State Freshman receiving record with 57 receptions, 934 yards, and 10 touchdowns. The off season added another 24 receptions for 351 yards along with 6 touchdowns to this count.
MMS students and college football fans think Smith is the likeliest for the Heisman. Eighth grader Ryan Koballa said, “His route running and his size really have an impact.” Another eighth grader, Logan Eady, stated, “If you watch the film you will see why.” Another eighth grader, Andrew Koballa said, “He’s fast, got the build, good enough speed, good catching abilities…he’s also got the moves.”
But one eighth grader, Mason Bokovitz, had a different opinion, stating that he has “a chance.” Mason stated that he’s “not the best freshman wide receiver. He balled out his first season but when he played Texas he got double teamed and that pretty much explains he at least has a chance.”
But if not Smith, then who? Smith’s biggest competition is Ryan Williams. Sports Illustrated states, “Alabama 17-year-old wide receiver Ryan Williams and Ohio State 18-year-old wide receiver Jeremiah Smith are widely regarded as not only the two best freshmen at their position, but among the top of college football as well.
Smith has been playing football for a long time. According to Yahoo Sports, “Where he grew up, he joined the youth football team and actually won the league’s own version of the Heisman”.
Another website, “On 3″ explains how his stats are unreal. The source states, “Experts say that he finished in top 10 in Heisman finalists. His First 5 weeks he had 26 receptions for 453 yards with 6 touchdowns along with 33 yards for a touchdown. For being a freshman the stats are stupid.”
For only being a freshman and finishing in the top ten, Smith’s potential for growth and success seems extraordinary.
