ESPN Places Jeremiah Smith Second Among Top Receivers of Last 50 Years
ESPN ranked the top 60 wide receivers of the past half-century, with Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith landing at No. 2. Randy Moss, who starred at Marshall before his NFL career, was ranked No. 1. Smith has 211 receptions, 3,474 yards, and 38 touchdowns and is a Heisman Trophy favorite.
ESPN ranked the 60 best receivers of the past 50 years. Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith came second, with 211 catches, 3,474 yards, and 38 touchdowns; he is a Heisman favorite. Randy Moss topped the list after two Marshall seasons: 174 receptions, 3,529 yards, 54 scores. In 1997 he had 90 catches, 1,647 yards, 25 touchdowns and placed fourth in Heisman voting.
The rest of the top five were Larry Fitzgerald, DeVonta Smith, and Justin Blackmon. The next five included Desmond Howard, Michael Crabtree, Tim Brown, Calvin Johnson, and Marvin Harrison Jr. No other current college receiver made the cut. ESPN's Bill Connelly said ability and output shaped his choices, and Julio Jones was left off because Alabama didn't feature him enough.
This ranking could amplify debates among college football fans about how to compare eras, conferences, and career length. It may boost Jeremiah Smith's visibility as a Heisman contender and shape how recruits, media, and Ohio State supporters view his legacy. Marshall fans and historians may also see renewed attention for Randy Moss's college career. Because such lists are subjective, their social impact may remain cultural and conversational, influencing bragging rights, fandom, and player branding more than any on-field outcome.