Ohio State stars were out as Jeremiah Smith, Julian Sayin, Bo Jackson excel for Buckeyes

It's never too early for the Heisman Trophy hype machine to crank up, and Ohio State left Week 1 of the college football season with a trio of attractive candidates in a romp over Ball State.

Junior wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who finished sixth in Heisman voting last year, continued to prove that he's a lock to be a top-five NFL Draft pick. Smith led the Buckeyes with eight catches for 161 yards (both game highs) and two eye-popping touchdown receptions.

Quarterback Julian Sayin, a 2025 Heisman finalist, rebounded from a disappointing exit from last year's College Football Playoff by completing 21 of 25 passes for 320 yards and no interceptions (a rating of 231.1).

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Running back Bo Jackson (who already has a Heisman-worthy moniker) ripped off a 65-yard touchdown while rushing nine times for 83 yards (not to be outdone, teammate Ja'Kobi Jackson also rushed for 83 yards, including a 48-yard TD).

It's a long way to the December awards presentation in New York, and there already have been some other impressive performances in Week 1, but the Buckeyes are at least on the Heisman board with their star trio of returning starters.

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The Buckeyes’ preseason No. 1 ranking will be tested throughout the season.

• Aidan Berg,