Generational Ohio State superstar Jeremiah Smith is way ahead of schedule to smash the Big Ten's touchdown record.
From the moment he stepped on campus, Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has been an absolute superstar. In his very first game against the Akron Zips, he dropped his first pass, but since then, he has taken off and never looked back.
He quickly became Ohio State's best wide receiver in a room that included 19th overall pick and NFL Rookie of the Year front-runner Emeka Egbuka.
Smith finished his freshman season with 76 catches for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdown receptions to go along with one rushing touchdown. Smith's freshman season was highlighted by his seven-catch, 187-yard, and two-touchdown explosion at the Rose Bowl.
He took all of college football by storm in Year 1 and is back for more as a sophomore.
So far as a sophomore, Smith has 40 catches for 503 yards and seven touchdowns. Barring injury and including a run to the title game, he is on pace for 104 catches, 1,307 yards, and 18 TDs.
To this point, combining his first and second years, he has 22 touchdowns in 22 games played. He is the fastest Big Ten wide receiver to reach that scoring output, doing it seven games faster than Michigan's Braylon Edwards.
Edwards holds the conference record for touchdowns with 39. It took him 44 career games to accomplish the feat, one that Smith is on his way to eclipsing.
To set this record, Smith would need to keep up his torrid pace. Averaging one touchdown per game, he will likely hit the number a year from now as a junior.
Smith is on the cusp of hitting yet another level for the Buckeyes. His amazing start has felt quiet because the Buckeyes have yet to be tested this season. He was held in check against Texas, but had big games against Grambling and Ohio. Among his conference peers, Smith has been solid.
As the season progresses, Smith gets better. In seven of his last 10 games last year, he had 70 yards or more. His playoff run was second to none, and he is getting ready to do that again for Ohio State in the stretch run.
Next up for the Buckeyes is a trip to Madison, Wisconsin, for a heavily-favored game against the Badgers. It will be an excellent opportunity to unlock the offense and for Smith to continue his ascent as the best offensive player in college football.