Por Renan Filho · 2026-09-26In a season already filled with superlatives, Ohio State freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith delivered a performance that has reshaped the Heisman Trophy race. Following his 12-catch, 247-yard, three-touchdown explosion in a 45-17 rout of Michigan State, Smith now sits as the consensus favorite according to major sportsbooks, surpassing preseason frontrunners like Colorado's Shedeur Sanders and Alabama's Jalen Milroe.
The numbers are staggering: Smith leads the nation in receiving yards (1,264), touchdowns (17), and yards per catch (22.3) through 10 games. His 247-yard outing was the second-highest single-game total by a freshman in FBS history, trailing only Michael Crabtree's 253-yard performance in 2007. What makes Smith's ascent particularly remarkable is his age—he is only 18 years old and enrolled at Ohio State a year early after reclassifying from the 2025 to 2024 recruiting class.
The Heisman race, long dominated by quarterbacks and running backs, has found a new face in Smith, who has become the first wide receiver to hold the outright betting favorite status since DeVonta Smith in 2020. According to FanDuel, Smith's Heisman odds have shortened from +1800 to -120 over the past three weeks, a reflection of both his consistent excellence and the lack of a dominant quarterback candidate.
**Context: The Historic Performance and Its Implications**
Smith's breakout game came against a Michigan State defense that had allowed only 201 passing yards per game entering the contest. He scorched the Spartans' secondary on deep posts, slants, and go routes, demonstrating a rare combination of speed, body control, and hands. His 67-yard touchdown in the second quarter was a microcosm of his season: a perfectly thrown ball from quarterback Will Howard, Smith adjusting mid-air, and then accelerating past two defenders to the end zone.
This performance is not an outlier. Smith has scored in every game this season, with multiple touchdowns in six contests. His 17 receiving touchdowns are already an Ohio State freshman record, breaking Cris Carter's mark of 11 set in 1984. More importantly, Smith's emergence has transformed the Buckeyes offense into an unstoppable unit, averaging 42.3 points per game, second in the Big Ten behind only Michigan.
From a historical perspective, Smith's candidacy challenges the traditional Heisman narrative. Only six wide receivers have won the Heisman since its inception in 1935, the most recent being DeVonta Smith in 2020. The award has become increasingly quarterback-centric, with signal-callers winning 13 of the last 14 awards. Smith's rise suggests voters may be willing to look beyond positional bias if the statistical gap is wide enough.
**Análise FORTIS: Why Jeremiah Smith Deserves the Heisman—And What It Means for College Football**
From a liberal-conservative perspective, we at FORTIS NEWS believe in rewarding individual excellence, free market competition, and meritocracy. Jeremiah Smith epitomizes these values. He arrived at Ohio State as a five-star recruit, but he did not rest on his ranking. He worked relentlessly, outcompeted veteran receivers, and now dominates a sport that often undervalues non-quarterbacks. The Heisman should recognize the best player, regardless of position, and Smith's production is objectively superior to this year's quarterback candidates.
Quarterbacks like Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) and Jalen Milroe (Alabama) have strong numbers—Sanders has 3,025 passing yards and 27 touchdowns, Milroe 2,478 yards and 25 touchdowns—but they also have more interceptions (Sanders 8, Milroe 6) and lower efficiency ratings against top competition. Smith, by contrast, has been a consistent threat against every defense, including No. 14 Penn State (7 catches, 114 yards, 1 TD) and No. 10 Oregon (9 catches, 172 yards, 2 TDs).
Moreover, Smith's impact extends beyond statistics. His presence opens up the field for Ohio State's running game (averaging 189 yards per game) and its other pass catchers. Opponents are forced to commit safety help over the top, creating one-on-one matchups for fellow wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and tight end Cade Stover. This multiplicative effect is exactly what the Heisman should honor: a player who elevates his entire team.
From a market perspective, the betting odds reflect rational expectations. As of September 26, 2026, Smith's -120 odds imply a 54.5% probability of winning, a rare conviction for a non-quarterback this early in the season. The last wide receiver to hold such odds was DeVonta Smith in mid-November 2020, and he ultimately won. If Smith continues his trajectory—especially with games against Indiana and on the road at Michigan—he could seal the award before conference championship week.
Critics argue that wide receivers are too dependent on their quarterbacks and offensive systems, but that argument collapses under scrutiny. Smith's quarterback, Will Howard, is a transfer from Kansas State who was considered a game manager, not a star. Howard's 2,894 yards and 30 touchdowns are impressive, but his yards per attempt (7.8) and completion percentage (64.5%) are career highs, largely due to Smith's ability to turn short passes into long gains. Smith creates value out of limited opportunities, the hallmark of a truly elite player.
**Q: Is it too early to crown Smith as the Heisman favorite?** A: While the season is only 10 games old, the Heisman race is often decided by momentum and signature performances. Smith's 247-yard game is arguably the single best individual performance of the year. Historical precedents—such as Lamar Jackson in 2016 or Johnny Manziel in 2012—show that early frontrunners often hold on. However, a poor showing against Michigan or in the Big Ten Championship could open the door for a late surge by someone like Sanders or Milroe.
**Q: How does Smith compare to other recent Heisman-winning wide receivers?** A: DeVonta Smith in 2020 had 117 catches for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns in 13 games. Smith's current pace (projected 1,695 yards and 22 touchdowns assuming a 12-game regular season plus conference championship and playoff) is slightly lower but comparable. The key difference is that DeVonta Smith played on a national championship team and had a Heisman-winning quarterback (Mac Jones) who also placed third in voting. Smith's quarterback is not in the top 10, which may actually help his candidacy by highlighting his independent impact.
**Q: Could a quarterback still win the Heisman over Smith?** **Q: What does Smith's emergence mean for Ohio State's College Football Playoff hopes?** A: Ohio State is currently ranked No. 2 in the AP Poll behind Georgia. With Smith as a weekly game-breaker, the Buckeyes are the most dangerous offense in the country. Their only loss came against Oregon in Week 5 by three points, a game in which Smith still caught two touchdowns. If Ohio State wins out—including a potential revenge game against Oregon in the Big Ten Championship—they are a lock for the playoff. Smith's Heisman candidacy and the team's championship aspirations are intertwined.
**Q: Why does FORTIS NEWS support Smith's Heisman candidacy as a liberal-conservative outlet?** A: We advocate for merit-based recognition and limited intervention in market outcomes. The Heisman Trophy is a free market of voter opinions, and Smith's performance has organically earned him the top spot. We oppose any narrative that downplays his achievements due to position or age. In a system where hard work and results should be the only metrics, Smith is the clear winner. We also encourage readers to check the box scores themselves—truth above narrative.
As the season progresses, FORTIS NEWS will continue to provide unvarnished analysis. Jeremiah Smith is not just a statistical anomaly; he is a testament to what happens when raw talent meets preparation in a competitive environment. Whether he hoists the Heisman in December or not, his season has already rewritten the record books and challenged the establishment. That is a story worth telling.