Ohio State coach Ryan Day has made his support for Jeremiah Smith’s Heisman Trophy candidacy unmistakable. After the Buckeyes’ loss to Oregon prompted former Alabama star Damien Harris to suggest Smith should stop playing for the rest of the season, Day backed his wide receiver and argued that Smith’s performance merits serious consideration for college football’s top individual award.
Day’s case is based on more than Smith’s impressive statistics. He emphasized the attention opposing defenses give the receiver and the challenges Smith has faced while continuing to produce at a high level. That includes playing with freshman quarterback Luke Fahey, who took over after Julian Sayin was injured.
Day acknowledged that the Heisman field includes other outstanding players. Still, he said Smith’s sustained excellence, the defensive focus he attracts and his ability to deliver despite a change at quarterback make him an especially strong candidate. In Day’s view, Smith has been dominant and deserves recognition.
The numbers provide a substantial foundation for that argument. Before Ohio State’s game against Northwestern, Smith had recorded 69 receptions for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns. He ranked second nationally in receiving yards and led the country in touchdown catches. Earlier in the season, he also posted 217 receiving yards against Illinois and 206 against Iowa.
Smith continued his production against Northwestern. In Ohio State’s 28–19 victory, he caught 11 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown. That brought his season totals to 80 receptions, 1,317 yards and 15 touchdowns.
The Northwestern game also marked another milestone in Smith’s career. He broke the Big Ten record for career receiving yards, adding to his conference career touchdown record. Smith has already become Ohio State’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, and he helped the Buckeyes win the 2024 national championship.
Ohio State has also publicly supported Smith’s awards campaign. The program launched its “JJ 4 It All” initiative, promoting him for the Heisman Trophy as well as the Biletnikoff, Maxwell and Walter Camp Player of the Year awards.
For Day, however, Smith’s value is not limited to records and award-worthy production. He has also pointed to the receiver’s commitment to winning and the intensity with which he responds to defeat. Smith’s visible frustration after the Oregon loss drew attention, with some critics questioning his reaction and others speculating about whether he would continue playing.
Day described that emotion as a reflection of how much Smith cares about his teammates and the outcome of a game. He said Smith takes pride in his individual performance but is happiest when the team wins. Day hopes Heisman voters will consider that competitive mindset alongside Smith’s accomplishments on the field.
Ohio State’s 7–3 record leaves the team facing a difficult path to the College Football Playoff, but Day’s support for Smith’s individual candidacy remains firm. The coach has acknowledged that other players are in contention while making clear that he believes Smith belongs among the leading candidates.
The Buckeyes have two regular-season games remaining, against Nebraska and Michigan. Those matchups give Smith further opportunities to build on a season that already includes 1,317 receiving yards, 15 touchdowns and multiple career records. Whether that résumé is enough to earn the Heisman will be decided by voters, but Day has made his own position clear: he believes Smith deserves serious consideration for the award.
