Jeremiah Smith Becomes Big Ten's Career Receiving Yards Leader

The Ohio State receiver passed John Standeford's 3,788-yard mark with a 22-yard catch against Northwestern.

Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Football

Jeremiah Smith Becomes Big Ten's Career Receiving Yards Leader

Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith became the Big Ten's all-time leader in career receiving yards, catching a 22-yard pass late in the first quarter against Northwestern. Smith now has 3,798 receiving yards for his Ohio State career, surpassing John Standeford's previous conference record of 3,788.

Why it matters

The record is a milestone for Smith, who has topped 1,200 receiving yards in each of his seasons with the Buckeyes and set the mark in three years compared with Standeford's four. It also reflects the sustained production of a player projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in next year's NFL draft.

Smith's 3,798 career yards exceed the previous Big Ten mark of 3,788, and he has 41 career receiving touchdowns, a conference record that surpasses Braylon Edwards's 39. He has 236 career receptions, leaving him 90 short of Stubblefield's conference reception record of 325.

The players

Jeremiah Smith

Jeremiah Smith is a wide receiver for the Ohio State Buckeyes and is widely projected as a top NFL draft prospect.

John Standeford

John Standeford was a former Ohio State receiver whose 3,788-yard Big Ten career receiving record stood until Smith surpassed it.

Ohio State Buckeyes

The Ohio State Buckeyes are the football program of Ohio State University, a member of the Big Ten Conference based in Columbus.

The details

Smith caught a 22-yard pass late in the first quarter against Northwestern to move past the record. The milestone came during a season in which he has continued to add to a career total built on yearly marks above 1,200 receiving yards.

Standeford set the previous record over the 2000 to 2003 seasons.
Stubblefield set the 325-reception record from 2001 to 2004.
Edwards set the previous touchdown record of 39 against USC two weeks before the Northwestern game.
Smith broke the yardage record with the 22-yard catch late in the first quarter against Northwestern on November 14, 2026.

Season Trajectory

Smith's record-setting pace extends a line of Ohio State receivers who have reshaped the Big Ten record books. The achievement strengthens his standing heading into the NFL draft conversation for next season.

Smith's 90-catch gap to Stubblefield's reception record makes him a notable name for fantasy managers tracking Big Ten production over the remaining season. His yardage and touchdown totals also give fans a concrete benchmark when comparing him to past conference receivers.

The takeaway

Smith's record shows how sustained production over three seasons can outpace a predecessor's longer career. Fans tracking his progress can watch whether he extends his reception total toward Stubblefield's mark.