Get ready for the newest Ohio State football wide receiver duo set to face off against Ohio University on Sep. 13: Jeremiah Smith and … Caleb Downs?
Not exactly. Downs, a unanimous all-American at safety in 2024, is not moving to the opposite line of scrimmage any time soon. But when asked about facing off against two of the best players in college football, Smith and Downs, Ohio coach Brian Smith incorrectly called Downs a part of a tandem wide receiver duo with Jeremiah Smith.
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“Two of the best receivers in the country, for sure,” Smith told the media on Sep. 8 about Downs and Smith.
Sep 6, 2025; Athens, Ohio, USA; Ohio Bobcats head coach Brian Smith celebrates with Ohio Bobcats quarterback Parker Navarro (13) after defeating the West Virginia Mountaineers at Peden Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images
“Our defense definitely has our hands full with that one, which is challenging, what you want to take away,” Smith continued. “I think what it does do, though, is put the pressure on them, which is a nice change. Because when you’re the No. 1 team in the country, and with the money that is invested into top-10 programs in the country every single year. There’s an expectation of not only winning, but the manner in which you win.”
Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith celebrates an 87-yard touchdown catch against Grambling State.
Fresh off their first home win last week against West Virginia, the Bobcats (1-1) are squaring up against the Buckeyes (2-0) for the fourth time ever. The last time the Bobcats played the Buckeyes, an infamous fight broke out between Bobcat mascot Rufus and Brutus Buckeye before the game.
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Last week, the Buckeyes’ receivers shined against Grambling State. Smith had five receptions for 119 yards and two touchdowns, leading the group in all three categories.
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs (2) celebrates an interception against Grambling State.
Though in 2024 coach Ryan Day said Downs had the “capability” and “athleticism” to mix into the offense at running back, the All-American safety has not played a snap of offense in his collegiate career at Ohio State or Alabama. Downs has played special teams as a punt returner in both 2023 and 2024, with a punt-return touchdown in each of the two previous seasons. He added his first interception of the new season against Grambling State on Sep. 6.
When is the Ohio State-Ohio football game?
Ohio State and Ohio will square off for the fourth-time ever in football at 7 p.m. Sept. 13.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Bobcats coach calls Ohio State Buckeye’s Caleb Downs a receiver
