Jeremiah Smith Responds to Biletnikoff Snub with Maturity-and Motivation
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Jeremiah Smith isn’t one to stir the pot, but make no mistake-he’s cooking something up.
After the Biletnikoff Award announcement earlier this month, the Ohio State wideout shared a pointed clip from the movie Paid in Full on social media. The message?
He felt overlooked. And when you're one of the most electric receivers in college football, that kind of snub doesn’t go unnoticed.
But when reporters caught up with Smith on Monday, his tone was different. Cooler.
Focused. And while he kept things respectful, it’s clear the fire still burns.
“Just use it as motivation,” Smith said. “Can’t think too much of it.
If that’s who they chose to win it, that’s who they chose to win it. Makai Lemon is a great receiver, had a great season.
So can’t knock him for that.”
That’s a mature response from a player who had every reason to feel slighted. Lemon, USC’s standout wideout, took home the award after a stellar season.
And Smith? Well, he’s not exactly sitting in the shadows.
“He’s a great receiver,” Smith added. “Going to be a first-round draft pick, so I can’t really complain about it. I’ve got to worry about what’s in front of me, and that’s beating Miami.”
That’s the mindset of a competitor who knows his best football is still ahead of him.
Let’s rewind for a second. Last year, as a true freshman, Smith racked up 934 receiving yards in the regular season-an eye-popping total for a first-year player in the Big Ten. Still, he didn’t crack the list of Biletnikoff finalists.
Fast forward to this season, and Smith elevated his game again. In 11 regular season games, he hauled in 72 passes for 942 yards and 11 touchdowns. That stat line earned him a spot as one of three Biletnikoff finalists, alongside Lemon and UConn’s Skyler Bell.
Lemon ultimately took home the hardware, finishing his season with 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns across 12 games. The numbers are close.
The decision? A bit of a surprise, especially considering Smith had just been named Big Ten Receiver of the Year.
But Smith isn’t dwelling on it. He’s channeling the moment into fuel.
That’s what elite athletes do-they turn disappointment into drive. And with a matchup against Miami looming, Smith has his sights set on what really matters: winning.
So while the Biletnikoff may be out of reach for now, don’t expect Smith to fade into the background. If anything, this might just be the spark that lights the next level of his game.