Despite a record-breaking debut season, Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith was overlooked for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year award. The true freshman phenom led all first-year players with 1,037 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns on 63 receptions, cementing his place as one of the top offensive talents in the nation. Yet, the prestigious honor went to Texas linebacker Colin Simmons, sparking conversation among fans and analysts.
Smith, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound standout from Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Florida, took the snub in stride. Speaking to the media ahead of No. 8 Ohio State’s Rose Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup against undefeated No. 1 Oregon, Smith displayed maturity and grace.
“Colin is a great player as well,” Smith said. “I can’t really knock him. Shaun (Alexander) is a great guy. I talked to him two weeks ago and learned a lot from him. It’s all respect.”
Simmons earned the award with a stellar season of his own, recording 39 tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks, an interception, and three forced fumbles for No. 5 Texas. The Longhorns face No. 4 Arizona State in the Peach Bowl quarterfinal.
While Smith missed out on the Freshman of the Year award, his trophy case is far from empty. He claimed Big Ten Receiver of the Year, Big Ten Freshman of the Year, first-team All-Big Ten, and second-team All-America honors. The Buckeyes’ star is now focused on leading his team against Oregon in what promises to be a thrilling New Year’s Day showdown.
Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. ET on ESPN, with Ohio State entering as 2.5-point favorites, per ESPN BET. Fans won’t want to miss this battle of titans as Smith looks to continue his remarkable season and prove why he’s one of the best young talents in college football.
What do you think?
Did Jeremiah Smith deserve the Freshman of the Year award?
