This will come as a surprise to absolutely no one, but Jeremiah Smith has been named the Week 4 Big Ten Player of the Week for his performance Saturday against Illinois. Not only has Smith been named the conference player of the week, but he was also named the AP National Player of the Week. It is the third time that the Ohio State All-American has won the Big Ten Player of the Week in his career. It is the first time he has been named the AP National Player of the Week.
Smith earned the honors with some spectacular stats. He hauled in 12 catches for 217 yards and four touchdowns. But it wasn't just the numbers; it was the way in which he accumulated many of those stats. The Buckeye receiver was continually left with one-on-one coverage that
he and quarterback Julian Sayin exploited greatly. Smith kept putting defenders in a blender, keeping them guessing and off balance. He also made several catches that left fans wondering how he actually does what he does week in and week out.
Smith joined a pretty elite group on Saturday with his performance against the Fighting Illini. He tied a school record with his four touchdown receptions, joining Noah Brown (2017 vs. Oklahoma), Dane Sanzenbacher (2010 vs. Eastern Michigan), Terry Glenn (1995 vs. Pitt), and Bob Grimes (1952 vs. Washington State). Smith also became just the sixth receiver in Ohio State history to eclipse 200 yards in a single game. He joins Jaxon Smith-Njigba (347 yards in 2021 vs. Utah and 240 yards in 2021 vs. Nebraska), Terry Glenn (253 yards in 1995 vs. Pitt), Santonio Holmes (224 yards in 2004 vs. Marshall), Gary Williams (220 yards in 1981 vs. Florida State) and David Boston (217 yards in 1998 vs. Michigan).
.@bigten Offensive POTW ➡️ @Jermiah_Smith1 pic.twitter.com/PppI0GhHGi
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) September 28, 2026
Smith is the first Buckeye to earn Big Ten weekly honors so far this fall. With a marquee schedule of big games coming up, there will be plenty of opportunity to add to that list.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Jeremiah Smith earns Big Ten and National Player of the Week
