Early National Signing Day has kicked off and the Ohio State Buckeyes have gotten a commitment from the 247Sports top-rated recruit in the nation, Jeremiah Smith. Ohio State has had Smith’s pledge for over a year. The talented receiver initially committed to the Buckeyes back on December 14th, 2022.
Smith is the latest in a long line of elite receiver commits Ohio State receiver coach Brian Hartline has earned in his time in Columbus. The six-foot-three, 198-pound receiver has everything you could ask for in a top-flight playmaker.
Ohio State Gets Jeremiah Smith
The Athlete
From Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Opa Locka, Florida, Smith is the highest-rated receiver recruit in Ohio State history. In addition, it’s the first time since 247Sports did rankings that a receiver was at the top. Dorial Green-Beckham in 2012 was second.
On the gridiron, Smith racked up honors as quickly as he did yards. As a senior, he was a MaxPreps National Player of the Year finalist. He hauled in 88 passes for 1,378 yards and 19 touchdowns. As a junior, he was a MaxPreps Junior All-American when he accounted for 1.073 yards and 20 touchdowns off of 58 receptions. He broke out as a sophomore with 667 yards and seven scores.
In addition to being an elite football player, he’s one of the best on the track. He took home state titles in the 110 and 400-meter hurdles as a junior.
The Process
Naturally, as the top-rated recruit, Smith was a hot commodity from the jump.
Despite being committed to Ohio State for over a year, in-state schools have not cooled down their pursuit. Miami (FL), Florida, and Florida State have been “throwing all kinds of money” at Smith, according to 247Sports. Smith and his family assert that money is not their biggest concern in this process.
While the Seminoles were still considered “warm” according to his recruiting page, the Miami (FL) Hurricanes made a push all the way up until he put pen to paper. The Hurricanes have been working hard to earn Smith’s favor, even going so far as to flip former Buckeye commit, Jordan Lyles.
As the top recruit, it is only natural that every team will be vying for his services. In the end, the Buckeyes won out and Jeremiah Smith is coming to Columbus.
What it Means for Ohio State
Smith has been described as a generational talent by most recruiting experts and scouts alike. Ohio State has been home to plenty of generational talents over the past decade, so he should fit right in.
As of NSD, no decisions have been made in the Ohio State receiver room aside from Julian Fleming transferring out. Marvin Harrison, Jr. has been mum on his future, but all signs should be pointing to the NFL as he’s expected to be one of the first names off the board. Emeka Egbuka has been 50/50 according to all of the Ohio State insiders. After that? Inexperience but plenty of talent and hype.
Even though Smith is the latest in a long line of four and five-star receiver recruits, he could end up a regular in the receiver rotation right off the bat. Smith has the talent to join Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss in Ohio State’s starting lineup.
He possesses a rare combination of hands, speed, route-running ability, and explosivity in a high school recruit. There are bits of his game that could be refined but, as a whole, Smith is among the few elite, college-ready recruits of this cycle. He is the type of home-run threat that would be nearly impossible to keep off of the field, even as a true freshman.
Smith is the crown jewel of the Ohio State 2024 recruiting class. He is by far the biggest win of the Ryan Day era.
