© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Ohio State Buckeyes and Miami Hurricanes are set to square off for just the third time since their famous meeting in the 2002 national championship game in Wednesday’s Cotton Bowl, which also serves as a quarterfinal in the College Football Playoff.
One of the central figures in that game is likely to be Buckeyes superstar wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who just so happens to be a Miami native and grew up a fan of the Hurricanes.
Smith, a five-star recruit, ultimately went to Columbus, where he caught 76 passes for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns as a true freshman, establishing himself as a superstar.
He’s been just as good, if not better, in his sophomore campaign, hauling in 80 passes for 1,086 yards and 11 scores in four fewer games.
But in another universe, Smith could’ve been on the opposite side of the field for Wednesday’s showdown.
Jeremiah Smith Wanted To Play For Miami, But The ‘Canes Couldn’t Stop Losing
Both teams met with members of the media on Monday ahead of their College Football Playoff matchup, and one reporter asked Smith if he’d have played for his hometown school if it were performing better when he was a recruit.
If Miami had won more or played in games like this during Jeremiah Smith’s high school career, would he be a Hurricane right now?
He said yes. pic.twitter.com/iaOehXDA6P
— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) December 29, 2025
“Most likely, yeah,” Smith said at the Cotton Bowl press conference. “I’d probably end up going to Miami if things were on the right track. But, you know, I chose to stick with Ohio State.”
The Hurricanes finished a close second to Ohio State in Smith’s recruitment despite going just 7-6 the season prior. In the last two years, however, Miami has gone a combined 20-5 and spent time in the top-five of the AP Poll in each season.
Had the ‘Canes done that one year sooner, Smith is probably wearing orange and green on Wednesday, and the game might look a good bit different.