- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,211,047
- Reaction score
- 59
The Heisman Trophy has been awarded annually since 1935, but in those 91 years, there have been just four wide receivers who have been given the honor. There have, however, been two winners in the last six years. With that in mind, could there be another receiver on the horizon to win the prestigious award? All eyes seem to be locked in on Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith.
Smith, a two-time All-American in his first two collegiate seasons, is one of the most decorated players to man the position. He has 163 receptions for 2,558 yards and 27 touchdowns in his two-year career up to this point, more than any other Big Ten receiver in their first two years of college. He's won a College Football Playoff national championship and numerous other awards -- so what's missing? The Heisman.
Smith will enter his third year with the Buckeyes as a preseason favorite in nearly everyone's mind. But can he get it done? After finishing last year's voting at No. 6, he enters the preseason with that mark, according to Phil Steele. Smith is the top non-quarterback to be on Steele's top-10 list, even behind teammate and quarterback Julian Sayin (No. 5).
Arch Manning, Dante Moore, CJ Carr, and Trinidad Chambliss round out the players listed ahead of Smith.
Is that too low, however?
Smith is your ideal receiver -- someone who looks like he was made in Madden. At 6-foot-3, he has the height. With his length, as well, there are very few defensive backs who can defend the size of Smith one-on-one. Add in his weight at 223 pounds, and there is little a defender can do to push Smith off his route. There's also little they can do to win in a jump-ball situation. His reported 38-inch vertical jump, 23.5 mph speed, and 4.32 40-yard dash time are all examples of just why he was listed No. 1 on Bruce Feldman's Freaks List going into last year.
So why is he not higher? His position.
16 of the last 20 Heisman Trophy winners have been quarterbacks, and while there's hope Smith can turn his junior season -- and final year in college -- into a Heisman Trophy type year, it shouldn't be expected.
If Smith has another All-American season, that likely means Julian Sayin has another terrific year as well. And if the trends continue for the Heisman-winners, maybe it ends up with Sayin lifting the trophy when it's all said and done.
Regardless, don't let that get in the way of understanding that there is no player in college more skilled than Smith.
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion.
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Is Jeremiah Smith too low in Phil Steele's preseason Heisman rankings?
Continue reading...
Smith, a two-time All-American in his first two collegiate seasons, is one of the most decorated players to man the position. He has 163 receptions for 2,558 yards and 27 touchdowns in his two-year career up to this point, more than any other Big Ten receiver in their first two years of college. He's won a College Football Playoff national championship and numerous other awards -- so what's missing? The Heisman.
Smith will enter his third year with the Buckeyes as a preseason favorite in nearly everyone's mind. But can he get it done? After finishing last year's voting at No. 6, he enters the preseason with that mark, according to Phil Steele. Smith is the top non-quarterback to be on Steele's top-10 list, even behind teammate and quarterback Julian Sayin (No. 5).
Arch Manning, Dante Moore, CJ Carr, and Trinidad Chambliss round out the players listed ahead of Smith.
Is that too low, however?
Smith is your ideal receiver -- someone who looks like he was made in Madden. At 6-foot-3, he has the height. With his length, as well, there are very few defensive backs who can defend the size of Smith one-on-one. Add in his weight at 223 pounds, and there is little a defender can do to push Smith off his route. There's also little they can do to win in a jump-ball situation. His reported 38-inch vertical jump, 23.5 mph speed, and 4.32 40-yard dash time are all examples of just why he was listed No. 1 on Bruce Feldman's Freaks List going into last year.
So why is he not higher? His position.
16 of the last 20 Heisman Trophy winners have been quarterbacks, and while there's hope Smith can turn his junior season -- and final year in college -- into a Heisman Trophy type year, it shouldn't be expected.
If Smith has another All-American season, that likely means Julian Sayin has another terrific year as well. And if the trends continue for the Heisman-winners, maybe it ends up with Sayin lifting the trophy when it's all said and done.
Regardless, don't let that get in the way of understanding that there is no player in college more skilled than Smith.
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion.
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Is Jeremiah Smith too low in Phil Steele's preseason Heisman rankings?
Continue reading...
