Ohio State star receiver Jeremiah Smith was the crown jewel of the Buckeyes’ 2024 recruiting class, as the No. 1-ranked recruit in the country was the program’s most valuable offensive weapon as a true freshman last season.
Ohio State had to fend off numerous other programs for Smith, including the Miami Hurricanes, who the Buckeyes will face in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals in the Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on Dec. 31. The Hurricanes won their first-ever CFP game against Texas A&M on Dec. 20, giving the program some momentum in the national championship picture for the first time in recent memory.
If only Miami’s momentum started before Smith was set to sign, the Hurricanes’ could’ve potentially paired Smith with Malachi Toney, one of the top young receivers in college football.
‘I’d have probably ended up going to Miami if things were on track then and there,’ Smith told reporters on Dec. 29 ahead of the Cotton Bowl. ‘But I chose to stick with Ohio State.’
Smith committed to Ohio State in 2022 and stuck with his commitment for more than a year before signing in December 2023. He continued taking visits after committing, however, taking trips to Florida State, Miami, Georgia and Florida, according to 247Sports.
Smith is already one of the best players in college football, after catching 80 passes for 1,086 yards with 11 touchdowns this season. He finished the 2024 season with 76 receptions for 1,315 yards with 15 scores.
The Hurricanes have won double-digit games in back-to-back seasons under fourth-year coach Mario Cristobal, finishing 10-3 in 2024 and currently holding an 11-2 record this season. Cristobal was coming off a 7-win season in 2023 and a 5-win season in 2022 when Smith was deciding where to sign.
Miami only had two double-digit win seasons from 2003-23, which came in 2003 and 2017 under Larry Coker and Mark Richt, respectively.
Smith is likely to be among the top players selected in the 2027 NFL Draft, when he’s eligible to leave college after his junior season. For now, he’s focused on taking down his hometown school as Ohio State looks to repeat as national champions.