Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith Sets School Receiving Marks in 31-14 Win Over Iowa

Jeremiah Smith caught 11 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns against Iowa and now holds Ohio State's career records for receptions, yards and touchdown catches.

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith called himself the best player in the country after a 31-14 win over Iowa on Saturday. The Buckeyes standout backed the assertion with 11 receptions, 206 yards and two touchdowns, and he marked one of his scores by striking a Heisman Trophy pose in the end zone.

The performance also reshaped the Ohio State record book. Smith's touchdowns ran his career total to 36, passing Chris Olave for the most in school history, and he moved past Emeka Egbuka into first place with 206 career receptions. Per CBS Sports, Smith now owns all three major receiving records at Ohio State, leading the program in career yards, catches and touchdowns.

Smith has been producing at that level for weeks. According to Yahoo Sports, he has racked up 423 receiving yards and six touchdowns over his last two games, and he entered the Iowa matchup as the national leader in receiving yards while sitting tied for the most receiving touchdowns in the country.

One of his touchdowns against Iowa came on a 54-yard play in which quarterback Julian Sayin threw into triple coverage. Even with the defense all around him, the ball reached Smith, who admitted afterward that the pass surprised him. "That throw, I didn't expect Julian to throw that one. I was surprised he threw it," Smith said. "But it just shows we have trust in each other, and he expects me to make that play. That's exactly what I'm going to do."

Ohio State coach Ryan Day said opponents have no simple answer for his receiver. "We've got to take this guy away," Day told reporters, adding that every coach in America would say the same. "There's times where he's covered, and we still make the throw and catch," Day said. "It just speaks to his ability, and Julian's trust with him."

Smith, for his part, said the numbers alone do not satisfy him. "I just want more, really," he said, explaining that he is playing to prove he is the top player rather than simply to accumulate statistics.

Reaction arrived quickly once the game ended. Social media filled with fans and stars calling him the best player in the sport, and LeBron James posted "Throw It to 4!" on X in reference to Smith's jersey number. Analysts on CBS Sports said Smith is ready for the NFL now, pointing to a subtle push-off he has mastered and an overall professional mindset.

The milestones have come unusually fast. Smith is only halfway through his third season of eligibility and remains on the field for the Buckeyes, yet he has already produced more than players who needed 47 games to reach his career touchdown mark.

The win left Ohio State at 4-1 overall. Viewers can next catch the Buckeyes against Maryland on Saturday at 4:15 p.m. ET, with a game against Indiana to follow on October 17.