Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III publicly defended Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith during a recent broadcast.
The commentary followed remarks from Michigan legend Desmond Howard, who questioned the potency of the receiver’s Heisman Trophy campaign, according to “reporting from Awful Announcing.”
Howard suggested that Smith has not performed as a consistent difference-maker in high-profile games over the last two years.
Griffin countered this assessment during Ohio State’s home victory against Northwestern, a game in which the receiver recorded 117 yards and a touchdown.
Griffin argued that the criticism was rooted in team bias rather than objective performance metrics, as noted by “Yahoo Sports.”
“Desmond Howard has to stop hating on Jeremiah Smith just because he goes to Ohio State,” Griffin stated during the broadcast.
Griffin further noted that the critique was an inappropriate way to evaluate a player’s credentials for the award.
Statistical evidence regarding the player’s performance has been used by analysts to challenge the claims made by Howard, per “For The Win at USA Today.”
While Smith is not currently considered the favorite for the Heisman Trophy, observers suggest he remains a viable candidate to reach New York as a finalist.
The ongoing debate highlights the influence that former players turned analysts have on the public perception of college football awards.
Both Griffin and Howard, as former winners of the Heisman Trophy, hold significant sway in discussions regarding potential recipients.
It remains unclear if Howard will address the performance statistics or provide further elaboration on his assessment of Smith’s big-game history.
The discourse surrounding the receiver’s candidacy continues to draw attention as the college football season approaches its final stages.