Ohio State's Smith: Me, Alabama's Williams 'best receivers in the country'

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith said he and Alabama's Ryan Williams have already established themselves as the top wideouts in the country.

"I just feel like we're the best receivers in the country right now as freshmen," Smith said, according to CBS Sports' Richard Johnson.

The Buckeyes phenom has dazzled with his remarkable catch radius and penchant for making highlight-worthy grabs on a regular basis. The Florida native is the first Ohio State freshman to score a receiving touchdown in each of his first five games.

Smith has hauled in 23 receptions for 456 yards and six touchdowns with a gaudy 19.7 yards-per-catch average. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound wideout is on pace to shatter most of the Buckeyes' freshmen receiving records held by Pro Football Hall of Famer Cris Carter.

Ohio State receivers coach Brian Hartline has helped develop wideouts into first-round selections in the NFL draft, including Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, and Marvin Harrison Jr. The coach is impressed with Smith's maturity and desire to improve in his first collegiate season.

"He knows he's physically gifted, but he wants to be the best to ever do it, and he wants to know the art of playing receiver, and so we spend a lot of time on that," Hartline said.

Meanwhile, Williams, who reclassified in high school to join the Crimson Tide this season, has set the pace for Alabama. The 17-year-old leads the team with 19 catches for 544 yards and six touchdowns. He was added to the watch list for the 2024 Biletnikoff Award, presented to college football's most outstanding pass-catcher.

Smith, who keeps in contact with Williams, said he texted the rising Alabama star "Keep doing what you're doing" after the latter's game-winning touchdown against Georgia earlier this month.

Smith and No. 2 Ohio State (5-0) will play No. 3 Oregon (5-0) in a Big Ten showdown on Saturday.