The Ohio State Buckeyes are looking to repeat as national champions. While several key pieces are no longer with the program, the team will still be returning some impact players.
Among the players coming back to the Buckeyes are wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, who FOX Sports identified among the best players in the Big Ten for the upcoming 2025 season.
Smith was listed at the top of the list as the most impactful player in the conference while Tate was given an honorable mention.
Smith is entering his sophomore season and is already looking like one of the best receivers the college game has ever seen.
“Smith has the talent to be the first wide receiver to win the Heisman Trophy award since Devonta Smith,” FOX wrote. “He dominated every opponent in the Big Ten conference during his true freshman season, leading the conference with 1,315 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. His magnum opus came in the Rose Bowl during the CFP quarterfinals when he torched Oregon for 187 yards and two touchdowns.”
Tate, who’s entering his junior year, is looking to build off a breakout season in 2024 and solidify himself as the No. 2 option behind Smith.
The 20-year-old hauled in 52 receptions for 733 yards and four touchdowns, including 150 total yards in the College Football Playoff.
Ohio State is yet to figure out who will be throwing touchdowns to both Smith and Tate this season, but whether it’s Julian Sayin or Lincoln Kienholz, they’ll be working with one of the most dangerous receiving duos in the nation.