Before Jeremiah Smith can dominate the regular season, he must first dominate the watch list season.
On Monday, Smith appeared on the Maxwell Football Club's 80-player watch list for the Maxwell Award, an honor presented to the best player in college football. He is one of seven wide receivers named to the watch list, which is dominated by quarterbacks and running backs.
.@Jermiah_Smith1 has been Named to Maxwell Award Watch List pic.twitter.com/AMMHytbHsK
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) July 28, 2025
Smith's appearance on the Maxwell Award watch list is one of several preseason accolades for the wide receiver. Earlier this summer, Smith earned first-team preseason All-American selections from Phil Steele and Athlon Sports. He also joined two Ohio State teammates, linebacker Sonny Styles and safety Caleb Downs, as Buckeyes to receive Big Ten preseason honors.
The No. 1 overall prospect in the 2024 recruiting class, Smith was a Game 1 starter for Ohio State last season. Across 16 appearances, Smith shattered Cris Carter's freshman receiving records, finishing with 76 receptions for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns while becoming a first-team All-Big Ten selection and the Big Ten Receiver of the Year.
Entering his sophomore season with sky-high expectations, Smith received extensive praise from Ohio State coach Ryan Day at Big Ten Media Days last week.
“He’s gotten bigger and stronger and faster than he was last year,” Day said. “He was at workouts the other day, and (strength and conditioning coach Mickey Marotti) constantly says during our warmups, he’s the first guy every time we run through and we’re warming up. The first guy every single time. He just sets such a standard. You don’t need to motivate Jeremiah.”
Smith's praise didn't end with Day. Indiana coach Curt Cignetti and Michigan coach Sherrone Moore also praised Smith.
"He’s probably the best college football player that’s out there," Moore said. "He’s elite."
