yahoo
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has been virtually unstoppable in recent weeks. Over his past three outings, the standout pass-catcher has amassed 513 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on 27 catches.
That remarkable production has propelled Smith to the top of Ohio State's record books in both career receptions and touchdown receptions. His surge has also thrust him into the Heisman Trophy discussion and positioned him to make more history in Week 7, when the No. 5 Buckeyes travel to face No. 4 Indiana.
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti had high praise for Smith during his Monday press conference. "Not only do they have a lot of excellent players, they have a wow player," Cignetti said. "That's the only really word to describe him that I can think of." He continued, "There is no one like him right now playing at this level. We got two really good ones. He's a freak."
That "wow player" is now on the verge of breaking the Big Ten's all-time touchdown receptions record and is also closing in on the conference's career receiving yards mark.
Big Ten Record Watch: Career Touchdown Receptions
Smith has been scoring at a torrid pace, finding the end zone eight times in the last three games. If he scores against Indiana on Saturday, he will tie the Big Ten record for career touchdown receptions. A multi-touchdown performance would give him the record outright.
Here is where Smith stands on the Big Ten career touchdown reception list:
- 1. Braylon Edwards, Michigan: 39 touchdowns (2001-04)
- 2. Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State: 38 touchdowns (2024-present)
- 3. Anthony Carter, Michigan: 37 touchdowns (1979-82)
- 4. James Hardy, Indiana: 36 touchdowns (2005-07)
- 5. Chris Olave, Ohio State: 35 touchdowns (2018-21)
- T-6. David Boston, Ohio State: 34 touchdowns (1966-98)
- T-6. Dequese Carter, Indiana: 34 touchdowns (2019-23)
- 8. Tyler Johnson, Minnesota: 33 touchdowns (2016-19)
- 9. Desmond Howard, Michigan: 32 touchdowns (1989-91)
- T-10. Bobby Engram, Penn State: 31 touchdowns (1991-95)
- T-10. Brian Alford, Purdue: 31 touchdowns (1994-97)
- T-10. Ron Johnson, Minnesota: 31 touchdowns (1998-01)
- T-10. Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State: 31 touchdowns (2021-23)
Career Receiving Yards
In recent weeks, Smith has climbed into the top 10 on the Big Ten's all-time receiving yards list. His 93 receiving yards last week against Maryland moved him into the top five, surpassing former Wisconsin wide receiver Lee Evans.
Here is the updated list:
- John Standeford, Purdue: 3,788 yards (2000-03)
- Taylor Stubblefield, Purdue: 3,629 yards (2001-04)
- Dorien Bryant, Purdue: 3,548 yards (2004-07)
- Braylon Edwards, Michigan: 3,541 yards (2001-04)
- Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State: 3,474 yards (2024-present)
- Lee Evans, Wisconsin: 3,468 yards (1999-03)
- Dequece Carter, Indiana: 3,430 yards (2019-23)
- David Williams, Illinois: 3,392 yards (1983-85)
- DWayne Bates, Northwestern: 3,310 yards (1995-98)
- Tyler Johnson, Minnesota: 3,305 yards (2016-19)
Be sure to check out USA TODAY Sports' new College Football Unfiltered podcast, hosted by USA TODAY Sports columnist Blake Toppmeyer. You can stream on YouTube or download via Apple podcasts and Spotify.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jeremiah Smith continues to topple records as OSU WR closes in on Big Ten TD mark.
Originally reported by yahoo.