Jeremiah Smith might have just as many friends at Miami as he does Ohio State. It seems unlikely that he would finish his college football career anywhere but Columbus but his coaches were not taking any chances after the Cotton Bowl.
They had to escort him back to the locker room!
One of the most athletic players in college football already admitted that he was likely going to end up playing for the Hurricanes if the program was as good as it is today during his recruitment. This latest video of Smith really puts his connection to the 305 into perspective.
Jeremiah Smith is a Miami boy.
Not only was Smith rated as the top-ranked prospect in the recruiting Class of 2024, he was the highest-rated wide receiver in high school recruiting history and the ninth-highest rated recruit of all time. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound pass-catcher officially received 40 scholarship offers but he could’ve played anywhere in the country. Nobody was going to turn him away. Duh.
As a native of Miami Gardens, Florida, Smith played one season of high school football at Monsignor Edward Pace. He later transferred to Chaminade-Madonna College Prep in Hollywood and became a star. Not only did he total more than 3,000 receiving yards and 46 touchdowns on 177 catches, the speedy wide receiver also won the state championship in the 110- and 400-meter hurdles as a junior.
His athleticism is off the charts!
Because Jeremiah Smith was born and raised in the greater Miami area, he was long considered a lock to play for an in-state program like Florida, Florida State or Miami. The Hurricanes were perhaps the most logical choice but they were not very good while he was in high school.
As a result, Smith committed to play at Ohio State. His relationship with Brian Hartline was perhaps the biggest factor in his decision, as well as NIL money and the lack of success at Miami.
However, he admitted before the Cotton Bowl that he actually wanted to play for the Canes. A large number of his friends and former teammates are currently on the roster in Coral Gables.
That was abundantly clear after the game on New Year’s Eve.
Ohio State coaches had to get him off of the field.
Miami beat Ohio State on Wednesday to advance to the College Football Playoff semifinal. Jeremiah Smith (who won a national title last season) did not seem all that disappointed.
He lingered on the field after the game to shake the hands of his former teammates and his friends from the Miami area. He even showed his love to members of the opposing coaching staff.
It was one after another after another after another.
The postgame handshakes lasted too long for Ohio State’s liking. An assistant coach had to step in. He tried to get Smith back into the locker room, but more and more players and coaches kept stopping him.
Smith has one year of college football remaining before he can turn pro. Hartline is leaving for USF. Would he consider a move back to Miami?
It actually seems more likely that Jeremiah Smith would opt out of next season to prepare for the NFL Draft than transfer at this point in his career, but we can’t rule it out! The NIL era is crazy. He might be called back home now that the Canes are winning. Seeing his friends succeed could change his mind.
Although that is probably not going to happen, the Ohio State staff did not want to take any chances. They got him off of the field at the Cotton Bowl as soon as possible!