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Jeremiah Smith reacts to USC's Makai Lemon winning Biletnikoff Award

ns_headshot_2024-clearby: Nick Schultz3 hours agoNickSchultz_7

After USC wide receiver Makai Lemon won the 2025 Biletnikoff Award, Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith shared his reaction. He took to social media after the announcement.

Smith shared a clip from the movie Paid In Full in response to the announcement. It features He was a finalist for the Biletnikoff, given to the nation’s top receiver, along with UConn’s Skyler Bell.

Ultimately, Lemon won the award. Smith’s post on social media came after the announcement on ESPN, and it appears he’s using it as motivation moving forward.

Smith and Lemon were two of the top wide receivers in the Big Ten this past season. Lemon was a crucial part of the USC offense this season, Lemon emerged as a top target for Jayden Maiava. His 1,156 receiving yards ranked fourth in the country while also adding 79 receptions and 11 touchdowns – ranking in the Top 10 in the nation in both categories.

Smith, meanwhile, hauled in 80 catches for 1,086 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging 90.5 receiving yards per game. It came after he burst onto the scene as a true freshman in 2024 with 76 receptions for a Big Ten-leading 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns as Ohio State won the national championship.

Both players also earned spots on the On3 2025 College Football All-America Team for his efforts this year. But only one could win the Biletnikoff Award, and Lemon was the one who brought it home.

Makai Lemon joins an impressive list of Biletnikoff Award winners, following Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter last year. Former Ohio State star Marvin Harrison Jr. and former Tennessee standout Jalin Hyatt won the award in 2024 and 2023, respectively.

“The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes the college football season’s outstanding FBS receiver,” the Biletnikoff Award said in a press release. “Any player, regardless of position (wide receiver, tight end, slot or inside receiver, wing back, or running back) who catches a pass is eligible for the award.

“As such, the Biletnikoff Award recognizes college football’s outstanding receiver, not merely college football’s outstanding wide receiver. Tight end Kyle Pitts was a finalist in 2020 and other tight ends were semifinalists in other years. Moreover, the Biletnikoff Award is a single season, not career, award.”

Jeremiah Smith and Ohio State are currently getting ready for the College Football Playoff. With a 12-1 record, the Buckeyes clinched a first-round bye, meaning they will start the CFP in the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve.