Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith made a bold proclamation about himself on Saturday.
Following the Buckeyes’ 31-14 victory over Iowa, Smith, who finished with a game-leading 206 receiving yards and two touchdowns, let reporters know that the Heisman Trophy is on his mind while also declaring himself the top player in college football.
“You’ve just got to [let] the Heisman voters — or whoever it is — know that I’m the best player in the country,” Smith said. “I’ve got to be there.”
Smith, a junior at Ohio State, made clear that he had his eyes on the award during the game, hitting the Heisman pose while celebrating a 57-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
The wideout set a multitude of Buckeyes records on Saturday, becoming Ohio State’s all-time leader in receptions (207) and receiving touchdowns (36).
“He’s got great size, great competitiveness, just great ability for a receiver,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz told reporters, according to ESPN. “All you can do is do your best and try to be as smart as you can playing him, but he’s a great player.
“With a little bit of luck, we won’t see him again during my career, so that’d be OK.”
Smith, who is on pace for a career year, has drawn comparisons to Randy Moss and DeVonta Smith among other all-time collegiate wideouts.
“There’s times where he’s covered, and we make the throw and catch, which just speaks to his ability and Julian, his trust with him,” Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day said. “There’s other plays where he was open and we work hard on designing those plays and trying to give him an opportunity, especially when it’s down the field.”
Ohio State, which moved to a 4-1 record following Saturday’s win, faces off against Maryland at home next Saturday at 4:15 p.m. ET.
