Ohio State is currently dealing with the harsh reality of college football in the NIL era less than one week removed from a national championship. Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate are being tampered with.
Circumstances can always change, but both star wide receivers seem to be content where they are.
Smith, perhaps the biggest rising star in college football, caught 76 passes for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns as a true freshman in 2024. He reportedly received an offer worth at least $4.5 million to enter the transfer portal and continue his career at a different program.
Tate caught 52 passes for 733 yards and four touchdowns. The rising junior was a former five-star recruit and is slated to step into the No. 2 role after the departure of Emeka Egbuka. The Buckeyes will need him if they are going to repeat as national champions.
However, Tate reportedly received a seven-figure NIL offer of his own. There is at least one other program out there willing to pay him at least $1 million for his services next season.
Ohio State is working to retain Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate!
Head coach Ryan Day was forced to re-recruit his entire roster as soon as he picked up the championship trophy on Monday because Ohio State players have a five-day “winter window” to enter the transfer portal after their last game. Smith and Tate were the most sought-after targets.
Amid reports of a $4.5M offer to Jeremiah Smith, Ryan Day shares his approach to player retention
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) January 24, 2025
"You have to value them, do everything you can to get what they deserve and what's fair.. As coaches we're all looking for more guidelines on this, everything is so gray right now." pic.twitter.com/0rIpyIER40
Neither guy is going to leave!
Jay Wimbrow, a prominent 7-on-7 coach in Florida, shared a message to social media as the rumors first started to swirl. He spoke on Smith’s behalf.
Ain’t gonna happen, that family is too loyal 😂😂 good try though 🤫
— @jay_wimbrow / X
Jeremiah Smith responded with just one emoji.
💯
— @Jeremiah_Smith1
As did Carnell Tate.
🤞
— @carnelltate_
Enough said.
Ohio State reportedly spent $20 million to construct its national championship roster for 2024. To match two deals for Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate at $5.5 million would cost the program approximately 25% of its budget from a year ago. Maybe the Buckeyes were able to match. Maybe they will negotiate more team-friendly deals. Either way, neither wide receiver is choosing to leave— for now.