Ohio State fans have every right to be outraged—because the latest On3 Heisman poll is nothing short of ridiculous. The Buckeyes are undefeated, dominating their opponents, and looking every bit like the best team in college football so far this season. Yet somehow, their two brightest stars, Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin, have been completely left off On3’s latest Heisman rankings. How does that even make sense?
Jeremiah Smith entered the year as the clear favorite to be college football’s top player, and he’s been living up to the hype. Through five games, he’s recorded 35 receptions for 463 yards and six touchdowns—an incredible pace that shows why defenses dread facing him. But his impact doesn’t exist in isolation. A huge part of Smith’s success comes from his quarterback, Julian Sayin, who’s been nothing short of phenomenal in his first five college starts.
Sayin’s performance has been elite by any standard. He already has thrown for 1,313 yards, 13 touchdowns, and only three interceptions—along with an eye-popping 80% completion rate. That level of efficiency is mind-blowing for a true freshman and puts him statistically ahead of many established college stars. In short, both Smith and Sayin have been performing at an elite, Heisman-caliber level. But here’s where things get controversial...
On3 released a ten-player Heisman poll this week—and not one single Buckeye made the list. Not Smith. Not Sayin. Not anyone from Ohio State. Instead, the poll featured names that left many fans scratching their heads, including a defensive lineman from Miami ranked ahead of both OSU standouts. A defensive lineman! You can’t make this up.
That’s why so many fans are convinced the omission isn’t just an oversight but an intentional provocation. Could On3 have done this purely to stir outrage and boost clicks? Some fans think so—and honestly, it’s not hard to see why. Leaving out two of the best players on the best team in the country simply defies football logic. After all, isn’t the Heisman supposed to recognize the most outstanding player in college football? How do you justify ignoring Smith’s consistency or Sayin’s near-perfect efficiency?
When you compare Sayin’s numbers to other quarterbacks mentioned in the poll, the disparity is absurd. His stats easily outshine players like Marcel Reed and Brendan Sorsby. And again, both Sayin and Smith are leading the undefeated team that currently looks like the nation’s top contender. So what gives?
For now, neither player seems concerned about the publicity snub. Instead, they’re locked in on their next challenge: taking down Illinois on the road this weekend. Another dominant performance from either of them might finally force On3 to correct its oversight—and maybe shake up the next Heisman rankings.
So what do you think, Buckeye Nation? Was On3’s poll an honest (if baffling) mistake—or a deliberate move to provoke fans and drive engagement? Drop your thoughts below—because this debate is just getting started.
