Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has been at the center of recent discussions regarding national freshman awards. Despite an outstanding debut season, Smith was notably passed over for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year award, which was awarded to Texas linebacker Colin Simmons. Simmons recorded 39 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, eight sacks, an interception, and three forced fumbles during the season.
In response to the snub, Smith expressed respect for Simmons’s performance, stating, “I mean, Colin is a great player as well. I can’t really knock him.” He also mentioned a positive conversation with Shaun Alexander, the award’s namesake, saying, “Shaun is a great guy. I talked to him two weeks ago. He’s a great guy. I learned a lot of things.”
Despite this national snub, Smith’s excellence was recognized within the Big Ten Conference. He was honored as both the Big Ten Receiver of the Year and Freshman of the Year, becoming only the second player to receive both accolades in the same season.
As of now, there is no information indicating that Smith has rejected any national awards. The reports focus on his being overlooked for certain honors, despite his remarkable freshman season.
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