Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons have been named the Maxwell Football Club’s latest Players of the Week after delivering standout performances for their respective programs.
Smith earned Maxwell Award Player of the Week honors after producing one of the most prolific receiving performances in Ohio State history, while Simmons was selected as the Chuck Bednarik Award Player of the Week following a record-setting defensive showing for Texas.
The Maxwell Football Club is recognizing two outstanding performances each week during the 2026 college football season. The Maxwell Award Player of the Week recognizes overall performance on offense, defense or special teams, while the Chuck Bednarik Award Player of the Week is reserved for exceptional defensive play.
Players do not have to appear on the preseason watch lists for either award to receive the weekly recognition.
Jeremiah Smith Delivers Historic Performance for Ohio State
Smith strengthened his standing among college football’s leading receivers with a dominant performance as Ohio State defeated Illinois 42-19.
The Buckeyes wide receiver finished the game with 12 receptions for 217 yards and four touchdowns, providing a major part of Ohio State’s offensive production.
The performance also placed Smith alongside a notable name in Buckeyes history. He joined Terry Glenn as only the second Ohio State player to record at least 200 receiving yards and four touchdowns in a single game.
Smith also became the first player in 11 years to finish a Big Ten game with at least 200 receiving yards and four touchdowns, adding another significant achievement to his season.
His 217-yard outing demonstrated his ability to generate explosive plays while also handling a high volume of targets. With 12 catches, Smith consistently provided Ohio State with a reliable option as the Buckeyes pulled away from Illinois.
The performance earned Smith the Maxwell Award Player of the Week honor and added to his growing profile during the 2026 season.
Ohio State will return to action against No. 14 Iowa, giving Smith another opportunity to build on his latest performance as the Buckeyes move through their schedule.
Colin Simmons Sets Sack Records in Texas Victory
On the defensive side, Texas junior edge rusher Colin Simmons earned the Chuck Bednarik Award Player of the Week honor after delivering a disruptive performance against Tennessee.
Simmons recorded 5.5 sacks in the victory, repeatedly reaching the Tennessee backfield and creating problems for its offense throughout the game.
His production extended beyond his sack total. Simmons finished with eight tackles and forced one fumble, making an impact in several areas of the Texas defensive effort.
The 5.5 sacks tied Shane Dronett’s Texas single-game record. Simmons also broke the Southeastern Conference single-game sack record with the performance.
The outing further elevated Simmons among the most productive pass rushers in college football. Following his performance against Tennessee, he moved into the national lead in sacks.
For Texas, Simmons’ ability to generate pressure gives the defense a significant weapon as the Longhorns continue their season. His combination of sacks, tackles and a forced fumble against Tennessee illustrated the type of game-changing production recognized by the Bednarik weekly honor.
Weekly Awards Highlight Standout College Football Performances
The Maxwell Football Club’s weekly awards are designed to recognize notable individual performances throughout the college football season, regardless of whether a player was included on the preseason watch lists for the Maxwell or Bednarik awards.
This week’s selections highlighted two record-setting performances on opposite sides of the ball. Smith’s 217 receiving yards and four touchdowns placed him in rare company at Ohio State and within the Big Ten, while Simmons’ 5.5 sacks tied a Texas record and established a new SEC single-game mark.
Both players will now look to carry that production into the next stage of the 2026 season as Ohio State and Texas continue their respective campaigns.
