Big Ten receiving yardage leaders after Week 6

The gap between Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and the rest of the Big Ten's top receivers only continues to grow. Smith only had 93 receiving yards ina. win against Maryland in Week 6, his second-fewest receiving yards in a game this season after back-to-back 200-yard outings. Still, Smith continues to impress as he did that on just 4 catches. Halfway through the season, Smith is well on his way to flirting with the NCAA single-season receiving record, while the rest of the Big Ten's receivers are in a race for second.

KJ Duff of Rutgers is the closest to Smith in the receiving yardage department and he is nearly 300 yards behind the Buckeyes' Heisman Trophy hopeful. Of course, Duff has played one fewer game than Smith, but he is still

averaging 27 fewer yards per game. Anyone catching Smith will be impossible at this pace.

Here are the Big Ten's top 10 leaders in receiving yards following the results of Week 6.

1. Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) catches a pass in front of Penn State Nittany Lions safety Zakee Wheatley (6) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 1, 2025.

Receiving yards: 916
Receiving TDs: 11 (leads Big Ten)

2. KJ Duff, Rutgers

Nov 29, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Kj Duff (8) reacts after a touchdown reception during the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Receiving yards: 628
Receiving TDs: 7

3. Colin Dixon, Illinois

Illinois Fighting Illini running back Jordan Anderson (23) gives teammate and wide receiver Collin Dixon (17) a hand after Dixon scored a touchdown during the first half at Gies Memorial Stadium.

Receiving yards: 608
Receiving TDs: 9

4. Charlie Becker, Indiana

Indiana's Charlie Becker (80) runs for a touchdown during the Indiana versus Western Kentucky football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.

Receiving yards: 529
Receiving TDs: 8

5. Nick Marsh, Indiana

Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Nick Marsh (11) runs after a catch for a touchdown against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Oct. 10, 2026.

Receiving yards: 528
Receiving TDs: 6

6. Chris Durr Jr., Maryland

Sep 12, 2026; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Chris Durr Jr. (13) makes the one handed catch against the UConn Huskies in the first quarter at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Receiving yards: 476
Receiving TDs: 4

7. Asaad Waseem, Purdue

Purdue's Chauncey Magwood (left) and Asaad Waseem (right) celebrate after a touchdown on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, during the NCAA football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Indiana State Sycamores at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.

Receiving yards: 472
Receiving TDs: 1

8. JJ Buchanan, Michigan

Michigan wide receiver JJ Buchanan catches the game-winning pass with no time left on the clock to beat Western Michigan at Michigan Stadium on Sept. 05, 2026.

Receiving yards: 446
Receiving TDs: 4

9. Griffin Wilde, Northwestern

Oct 10, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Ball State Cardinals defensive back Anthony Pinnace (14) defends Northwestern Wildcats wide receiver Griffin Wilde (17) during the first half at New Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Receiving yards: 425
Receiving TDs: 3

10. Kwazi Gilmer, Nebraska

Oct 3, 2026; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer (3) runs after a catch for a touchdown against Maryland Terrapins linebacker Carlton Smith (32) during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Receiving yards: 418
Receiving TDs: 6

Who is Penn State's leading receiver?

With Koby Howard missing the past three games due to injury, Penn State now has a new leading receiver midway through the year. Chase Sowell, who came up with some big plays in a losing effort against USC in Week 6, has taken over the lead as Penn State's receiving leader. The Iowa State transfer has a team-high 23 receptions for 359 yards with a pair of touchdowns. Tight end Ben BRahmer has a team-high 3 receiving touchdowns.

Kevin McGuire is the lead writer for Nittany Lions Wire, part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on BlueSky, Threads or any of these other platforms.

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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Big Ten receiving yardage leaders after Week 6