Jeremiah Smith Sets Big Ten Career Receiving Yards Record

Jeremiah Smith became the Big Ten’s career receiving yards leader on November 14, 2026, when Ohio State played Northwestern at Ohio Stadium. A 22-yard catch from freshman quarterback Luke Fahey in the first quarter lifted Smith’s career total to 3,798 yards, passing John Standeford’s 3,788-yard mark set at Purdue in 2003.

Smith entered the game with 3,758 career yards, after recording 133 yards on seven catches against Oregon the previous week. His record-breaking catch came on second-and-three and carried him to Northwestern’s 11-yard line. The 3,798 figure was his total at the moment he set the record, not his final tally for the game.

The milestone adds to a run of records across Smith’s three seasons. He had already set Big Ten career marks for receptions, with 232, and receiving touchdowns, with 41. He also holds Ohio State records for 100-yard receiving games, with 16, and receiving touchdowns in a single game, with four.

Smith totaled 1,315 yards through the air and 15 scores in his first season, 2024, followed by 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2025. Entering the Northwestern game, he had 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. He had also reached 100 yards in five games this fall, including back-to-back performances above 200 yards against Illinois and Iowa.

Smith’s next target is the Big Ten record for career 100-yard receiving games. He entered Saturday one short of the mark, shared by David Bell and Braylon Edwards. His career receiving yards total will continue to rise with each subsequent catch.