Big Ten receiving yardage leaders after Week 4

It took almost a full month for it to happen, but the Big Ten's top-rated wide receiver draft prospect has taken the lead in receiving yardage in the conference. Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith had another record performance in Ohio State's win over Illinois

by tying the program record for touchdowns in a single game. Now, Smith leads the Big Ten in receiving yardage and is tied for the lead in receiving touchdowns.

Penn State wide receiver Koby Howard missed action in Week 4 due to an injury and is expected to be out for an extended period of time. That means that may have been the last time we see Penn State's top receiver among the Big Ten's top-10 receiving leaders. His absence was very noticeable in Penn State's shocking loss to Wisconsin in Week 4.

Here are the Big Ten's top 10 leaders in receiving yards after Week 4.

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: 617
Receiving TDs: 7 (tied for Big Ten lead)

1. 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: 550
Receiving TDs: 7 (tied for Big Ten lead)

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: 430
Receiving TDs: 7 (tied for Big Ten lead)

4. 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: 396
Receiving TDs: 4

5. Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, USC

Sep 12, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt (17) scores on a 19-yard touchdown reception against the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Receiving yards: 372
Receiving TDs: 3

6. 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: 370
Receiving TDs: 6

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: 355
Receiving TDs: 1

8. Koby Howard, Penn State

Sep 5, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Koby Howard (6) makes a catch during the second quarter against the Marshall Thundering Herd at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Receiving yards: 344
Receiving TDs: 2

9. 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: 312
Receiving TDs: 3

10. Dezmen Roebuck, Washington

Sep 12, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Dezmen Roebuck (2) runs for yards after the catch during the fourth quarter against the Utah State Aggies at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Receiving yards: 308
Receiving TDs: 1

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 4