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There’s no fear in Columbus when rivals and teammates push each other to the brink. That’s just how Ryan Day’s Buckeyes roll. 7-0, unblemished, and fueled by internal fire. And at the heart of it, there’s Jeremiah Smith, the new-age prototype – fast, fearless, and freakishly athletic. 49 catches, 602 yards, and seven touchdowns through eight weeks. But even with his highlight reel growing every Saturday, not everyone in his locker room is putting him on the same pedestal. Ohio State QB Julian Sayin and safety Caleb Downs revealed who their Heisman frontrunners are in a sit-down posted by Official Ohio State DG on X on October 29. The Buckeyes QB didn’t pick his top receiver. He didn’t even go with a Buckeye. Instead, his Heisman vote went south to a $2.5M SEC QB – Alabama’s Ty Simpson. “So when I visited Bama, I’ve visited a few times, and Ty was always my host,” he said. “And he’s a great dude. He’s a great player and I still text him today. So I’m gonna go Ty. He’s having an exceptional year.” That’s hard to argue. The Tide’s QB racked up 2,184 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and just one interception while leading Alabama to a 7-1 mark. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad Caleb Downs didn’t bite on Jeremiah Smith either. He went the diplomatic route, picking Julian Sayin himself. “Julian Sayin is the leader for Caleb Downs for Heisman,” he said. “Playing great ball right now, leading in completion percentage. He’s leading his team at the highest level. Doing it himself. Doing it his own way. That’s my take. Julian Sayin for the Heisman.” That’s two teammates’ votes that don’t have their star receiver in it. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad The Heisman frontrunners stole the headlines, with Smith, Simpson, and many more leading the race. Considering the talent pool of elite gems, this talent class could break barriers in the NFL come next draft day. Jeremiah Smith’s current displays are comparable to LeBron James’s hype when he pursued his dream. However, when On3’s Week 10 Heisman rankings dropped, Jeremiah Smith’s name was nowhere to be found in the Top 10. Ty Simpson topped it. Then came Fernando Mendoza, Marcel Reed, Diego Pavia, Julian Sayin, and others. So while Sayin and Downs are carving out Heisman campaigns, the WR’s case is quietly overshadowed, even if his numbers scream otherwise. But that’s where this story turns interesting. Just days earlier, he showed exactly why his confidence never wavers. Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports Jeremiah Smith turns the locker room into a race The Big Ten Network tossed players a lighthearted question during a Buckeyes’ practice session last week. “Who could you beat in a 40-yard dash?” Jeremiah Smith didn’t hesitate. “Who can I beat on the team? I’m just gonna say everybody.” Classic alpha energy. Most teammates laughed it off. None dared to challenge him until defensive end Eddrick Houston stepped up, naming a few teammates before slyly adding, “Jeremiah Smith.” ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad The reaction was eye-rolls, grins, and a collective “Oh no, he didn’t.” Eddrick Houston might’ve been playing around, but Jeremiah Smith wasn’t the guy you call out unless you’re ready to eat dust. The kid hit 23.5 mph on the GPS tracker earlier this year, earning “No.1 freak” honors from The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman. His challenger, for context, holds a 79 speed rating and 90 acceleration on EA Sports College Football 26.
