Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith Breaks Big Ten's All-Time Receiving Record in Win Over Northwestern

Late in the first quarter of a 28-19 win over Northwestern on Saturday, Ohio State junior wide receiver Jeremiah Smith surpassed Purdue’s John Standeford for the Big Ten’s all-time receiving record, Yahoo Sports reported.

Standeford piled up 3,788 receiving yards over four seasons from 2000 to 2003. In less than three seasons with the No. 20 Buckeyes, Smith eclipsed that mark with a 22-yard catch and run against the Wildcats in Ohio Stadium.

The milestone broke an all-time conference record while snapping an uncharacteristic two-game losing streak for Ohio State. Smith was targeted 17 times during the contest, catching 11 balls for 117 yards and one touchdown to author his 17th career 100-yard receiving game, tying a conference benchmark.

Jeremiah Smith Breaks B1G Career Receiving Yards Record — Big Ten Football

He is now tied with Purdue’s David Bell and Michigan’s Braylon Edwards for the most 100-yard games a Big Ten player has ever notched. Smith enters the closing stretch of the season with a Big Ten-best 3,875 career receiving yards.

Even before Saturday’s game, the 6-foot-4, 222-pound Smith held the record for the most career receiving touchdowns in Big Ten history. He entered the weekend with 41 of those scores, having leapfrogged Edwards two weeks prior at USC.

Luke Fahey Finds Jeremiah Smith for Six vs. Northwestern — Big Ten Football

Edwards wrapped his four-season run at Michigan from 2001 to 2004 with 39 receiving touchdowns. Meanwhile, Purdue’s Taylor Stubblefield remains the Big Ten’s all-time leader in receptions, having logged 325 from 2001 to 2004.

Smith has brought his career total to 243 catches following the Northwestern matchup. Given that he is widely projected as a top pick in next year’s NFL Draft, the Miami Gardens, native is unlikely to stick around to chase the receptions record.

One-on-one interview with Jeremiah Smith after win against Northwestern — WBNS 10TV

He is already responsible for a triple crown within the Ohio State record books. Smith ranks first for career receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and receptions at the university.

He snatched all three of those program records during the 2026 campaign, establishing himself as the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. On Sept. 19 against Kent State, Smith hopped Michael Jenkins for the Buckeyes’ all-time receiving yards record after Jenkins amassed 2,898 yards in the early 2000s.

On Oct. 3 at Iowa, Smith overtook Chris Olave’s 35 touchdown receptions for the most career scores in program history. During the same game, he exceeded Emeka Egbuka’s 205 career receptions.

Jenkins, Olave, and Egbuka were all first-round NFL draft picks. They form part of a fraternity of prolific Buckeyes wideouts that now includes Smith.

Smith is a two-time All-American and a one-time national champion. He continues to put up dominant numbers despite an unexpected quarterback change for the Buckeyes this season.