New Receiving Record
Ohio State Wide Receiver Jeremiah Smith Breaks All-Time Receiving Record
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Key Points
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Michael Jenkins was more than the previous record holder: he started 38 of his final 39 games at Ohio State and totaled 165 catches, 2,873 yards and 16 touchdowns during an era when the Buckeyes were not known primarily for their passing attack.
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Jenkins’ most famous catch was a 37-yard touchdown from Craig Krenzel with 1:44 remaining against Purdue in 2002, a play that preserved Ohio State’s 10-6 victory and became known as “Holy Buckeye.”
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Smith entered the Kent State game with 16 catches for 315 yards and three touchdowns through two games of the 2026 season, including an eight-catch, 164-yard performance against Texas despite Ohio State’s 24-23 defeat.
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Smith’s 2,558 receiving yards and 27 touchdown catches over his first two seasons were the most by any Big Ten receiver during a player’s first two years in college.
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Smith has said that Ohio State’s reception and touchdown records remain on his radar, specifically identifying Emeka Egbuka as the receptions record holder and Chris Olave as the touchdown record holder: “I feel like this coaching staff has done a great job of using me in the right way to accomplish those things.”
Jeremiah Smith broke Ohio State's all-time receiving yards record during the first quarter against Kent State on a 23-yard catch, surpassing Michael Jenkins' 2,898-yard mark TSN. The junior wide receiver reached the milestone in just 32 games — nine fewer than Jenkins needed — and has 2,873 career yards with 27 touchdowns across his first two seasons TSN.
Smith entered the 2026 season as a top Heisman candidate and has continued his elite production despite Ohio State's earlier 24-23 loss to Texas Marca. His record-breaking achievement further cements his status among Ohio State's greatest receivers and strengthens his potential standing as a top-five pick in the 2027 NFL Draft Marca.
How Smith Shattered Jenkins' 25-Year Milestone
Michael Jenkins held the record for over two decades. The 2000-03 receiver caught 165 passes for 2,898 yards and 16 touchdowns TSN. Jenkins started 38 of his final 39 games, showcasing remarkable durability during an era when Ohio State rarely emphasized the passing game TSN.
Smith demolished the timeline. His 2,558 yards and 27 touchdowns in his first two seasons rank as the most by any Big Ten receiver in their first two years Marca. Smith reached the all-time record nine games faster than Jenkins, demonstrating a dramatically different playing style and offensive system Marca.
Jenkins' Legendary Purdue Moment Defined His Legacy
Jenkins' most iconic play remains the "Holy Buckeye" touchdown against Purdue in 2002 TSN. With 1:44 remaining, quarterback Craig Krenzel threw a 37-yard touchdown pass that preserved Ohio State's 10-6 victory TSN. That single play symbolized Jenkins' clutch ability and became part of Buckeyes lore TSN.
Jenkins' draft pedigree matched his college success — he became a first-round NFL pick. Smith, however, plays in a modern passing era and has already surpassed Jenkins in total yards while potentially tracking toward even greater NFL opportunities Marca.
Smith Eyes Two More Historic Ohio State Records
The record-breaking receiver is not done hunting history. Smith has publicly identified Emeka Egbuka's reception record and Chris Olave's touchdown mark as his next targets Marca. "I feel like this coaching staff has done a great job of using me in the right way to accomplish those things," Smith said Marca.
Smith proved his excellence against Texas with eight catches for 164 yards, despite the Buckeyes' 24-23 defeat TSN. He entered the Kent State game with 315 yards and three touchdowns through two games. If he maintains this pace, additional Ohio State receiving records appear well within reach TSN.
Buckeyes Dominate Kent State in Record-Breaking Performance
Ohio State rolled past Kent State 59-3 in a blowout that allowed Smith to make history WRAL. The sixth-ranked Buckeyes controlled the game from the start, with multiple receivers finding the end zone WRAL. The lopsided victory gave Smith plenty of opportunities to extend his record-breaking day WRAL.
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