While Ohio State star receiver Jeremiah Smith continues to impress the majority of the college football world and improve his chances for winning the Heisman Trophy at the conclusion of the season, he does not have a fan in college football analyst Desmond Howard.
The former Heisman Trophy winner has criticized Smith even though most national observers believe he is the best college football player in the nation and certainly the best receiver. Howard said Smith has not impressed him because he doesn't “show up in big-time games.”
Fox analyst Robert Griffin III said Howard's criticism was ridiculous, and it was the result of Howard's background as a star player at Michigan, and therefore he could not give credit to a dominant player from Ohio State. The fact that Howard is an analyst on a nationally televised college football program and that his remarks were supposed to be his unbiased opinion made it unfair, according to RGIII.
“Desmond Howard has been very critical of Jeremiah Smith,” Griffin explained while broadcasting Ohio State's 28-19 triumph over Northwestern. “Desmond Howard has to stop hating on Jeremiah Smith.”
Smith played a key role in the Buckeyes' triumph over the Wildcats. He caught 11 passes from backup quarterback Luke Fahey for 117 yards and 1 touchdown. Smith was the focus of the offense for the Buckeyes and he was able to overcome multiple efforts by the Northwestern defense to slow him down.
Smith has caught 80 passes for 1,317 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. Smith uses his 6-4, 222-pound frame and his game-breaking speed to win the matchups and give Ohio State an edge when the game is on the line.