Jeremiah Smith injury update: Buckeyes star receiver questionable vs. UCLA

COLUMBUS — Ohio State star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is the best player in college football. And the Buckeyes may need to eek out a win without him on Saturday night against UCLA.

The sophomore sensation and Buckeyes lead playmaker is officially questionable for action, according to the Big Ten’s availability report that came out two hours before kickoff on Saturday.

Smith is fresh off a career-high 10-catch performance in last weekend’s win at Purdue. He was an even bigger part of the offense last week than normal, as fellow Buckeyes star receiver Carnell Tate missed the last game. Tate will miss his second straight game on Saturday; he is officially out for the game against the UCLA Bruins on Saturday night.

Other offensive injuries include veteran tailback CJ Donaldson, who is questionable for action, and offensive lineman Josh Padilla, who will miss his second straight game after missing last week’s win at Purdue.

Smith has never missed a game since arriving at Ohio State, starting in all 25 games of his career. He has 25 career touchdown receptions and is a Heisman Trophy candidate this season for the Buckeyes. If he can’t play, the receiver depth will be tested — especially with Tate out. Look for Mylan Graham, Bryson Rodgers and freshman Quincy Porter to have a much larger role in the offense this week. Of course, junior receiver Brandon Inniss is ready for action and could see a bigger target share. So could tight end Max Klare.

The good news for Ohio State: right tackle Phillip Daniels is available for action after missing last week’s game.

The full availability report from the program is now confirmed, making note that Ohio State doesn’t detail injury or disciplinary matters.

Questionable for Ohio State

RB CJ Donaldson
WR Jeremiah Smith

Out

DT Jarquez Carter
DE Logan George
SAF Malik Hartford
WR De’Zie Jones
QB/RB Mason Maggs
DT Eric Mensah
OL Josh Padilla
WR Carnell Tate
DT Maxwell Roy
DT Ahmen Tounkara

Ohio State vs. UCLA game information

Date: Saturday, Nov. 15
Time: 7:30 p.m, ET
Location: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
TV: NBC
Stream: Peacock

On The Call — NBC announcers

Play-by-Play announcer: Noah Eagle
Analyst: Todd Blackledge
On-field reporter: Kathryn Tappen

On The Call — Ohio State Sports Network from LEARFIELD

Play-by-Play: Paul Keels
Analyst: Jim Lachey
Reporter: Tyler Danburg

2025 Buckeyes football schedule

Aug. 30 — vs. Texas (14-7 W)
Sept. 6 — vs. Grambling (70-0 W)
Sept. 13 — vs. Ohio (37-9 W)
Sept. 20 — IDLE
Sept. 27 — at Washington (24-6 W)
Oct. 4 — vs. Minnesota (42-3 W)
Oct. 11 — at Illinois (34-16 W)
Oct. 18 — at Wisconsin (34-0 W)
Oct. 25 — IDLE
Nov. 1 — vs. Penn State (38-14 W)
Nov. 8 — at Purdue (34-10 W)
Nov. 15 — vs. UCLA (7:30 p.m., NBC)
Nov. 22 — vs. Rutgers (TBD, TBD)
Nov. 29 — at Michigan (Noon, FOX)