Jeremiah Smith: Rising Star or Instant Legend?

Ohio State's wide receiver legend, Cris Carter, has a record that's stood strong since 1984. Despite numerous talented players passing through the Buckeyes, none could touch Carter's eight touchdown receptions by a freshman – until now. Enter Jeremiah Smith, a freshman who shattered Carter's record in just nine games, ending the season with a Big Ten record of 14 touchdowns. Before the national championship game against Notre Dame, Carter had nothing but praise for Smith. "He's the best in the country right now, " Carter told CBS Sports. "His work ethic is incredible, and he's always the first one in and the last one out. " Smith isn't just a standout player; he's part of a tradition of exceptional wide receivers like Julio Jones and Larry Fitzgerald. Smith's debut against Akron was impressive, with six catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns. He consistently performed well, surpassing 50 receiving yards in each of his first 10 games. His performance in the playoffs was especially noteworthy, setting an Ohio State freshman record with 187 yards in the Rose Bowl. "His improvement throughout the season has been clear, " Carter commented. "And he's only going to get better before hitting the NFL draft in a few years. "