Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith entered the 2025 season as one of the most hyped players in all of college football, and for good reason. He shattered multiple records previously held by Hall of Famer Cris Carter and quickly established himself as one of the brightest young stars in the nation.
Heading into his sophomore year, Smith was viewed as a frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy, the Biletnikoff Award, the Walter Camp Player of the Year, and the Maxwell Award.
Fans Question Jeremiah Smith’s Struggles Against Texas
After a record-breaking freshman year, 76 receptions, 1,315 yards, and 15 touchdowns, Smith earned first-team All-America honors and was named the Big Ten’s top freshman.
But during Saturday’s massive showdown between No. 1 Texas and No. 2 Ohio State, Smith’s sloppy start raised eyebrows and sparked talk of the dreaded “sophomore slump.” Just eight months after these two teams met in the College Football Playoff, Smith entered the season opener in Columbus with sky-high expectations.
One fan asked bluntly, “Is Jeremiah Smith the biggest what if of all time???”
Is Jeremiah smith the biggest what if of all time???
— h Squared (@henryhizzy8) August 30, 2025
Smith had just one drop on 105 targets in 2024, yet against Texas, he dropped two passes on his first three targets.
Another fan wrote, “Jeremiah Smith 2 drops this drive. Yeah, that’s not my Biletnikoff winner.” For a player touted as the nation’s best receiver, that’s a tough look.
For a player widely known as the best wideout in college football, the miscues felt uncharacteristic.
A frustrated fan added, “Is Jeremiah Smith forreal?”
Is Jeremiah smith forreal ?
— s (@kogamihive) August 30, 2025
The questions surrounding Smith’s ability to handle the pressure of big moments only intensified as the game went on.
One tweet read, “Jeremiah Smith isn’t prepared for the bright lights. Sophomore slump in our eyes.”
KEEP READING: How a Childhood Snub That Made Him Cry at Age 7 Fueled Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith’s Rise to Stardom
Another summed it up harshly, “Jeremiah Smith cannot even beat a sophomore slump 💔 ; the curse is never going away.”
jeremiah smith cant even beat a sophomore slump 💔 the curse is never going away
— Jxke (@JxkeCle) August 30, 2025
A Change of Gloves Sparks Some Redemption
Sideline reports revealed that after his second drop, Smith swapped out his gloves, telling reporters later that the original pair “just weren’t working.” Fox’s Jenny Taft reported the change during the broadcast, and the adjustment seemed to make an immediate difference.
Jeremiah Smith had 1 drop on 105 targets in 2024
2 drops on 3 targets to start 2025. Uncharacteristic, to say the least.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) August 30, 2025
On the very next drive, Smith hauled in a 16-yard catch over the middle on second-and-7, his biggest grab of the afternoon and a small reminder of the elite talent he brings to the Buckeyes’ offense.
Despite the negativity, Smith’s talent and track record suggest this may only be a temporary setback. Ohio State’s offense still runs through his playmaking ability, and the Buckeyes will need him at his best to remain in the national title hunt.
While Smith’s early struggles were magnified under the national spotlight, one game is far from enough to define his sophomore season. Ohio State’s offense continues to run through his playmaking ability, and his track record suggests these drops are more anomaly than trend. The Buckeyes need Smith at his best to stay in the national title race, and his response to this adversity may end up being a defining storyline of the season.
At the time of this story, the game is scoreless in the first half.
