Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith discusses program tampering with him

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Ohio State football is becoming known as being Wide Receiver University, but in the Name, Image and Likeness world, you always worry about the chance that the Buckeyes could have lost arguably the best prospect they’ve ever had at the position.

Luckily, it did not happen. Jeremiah Smith met with the media on Saturday and dropped an interesting nugget that has made the rounds. He talked about how, after his second season in Columbus, there were attempts to woo him away from Ohio State, in particular by one program. The team he was alluding to wasn’t named, but almost anyone who knows about the situation understands it was probably the Miami Hurricanes, who were the primary competition for Smith’s recruitment as his hometown team.

Smith’s path to Ohio State was not a simple one. The Hollywood, Florida, native was the nation’s top-ranked recruit in the Class of 2024 and one of the most pursued players in the country, with Miami, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, and others among the schools involved before he signed with the Buckeyes. He committed to Ohio State in 2022 and remained firm despite continued interest from programs closer to home.

On the field, Smith has already delivered like a player worthy of the hype. He burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2024, producing 76 catches for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns while helping lead Ohio State to a College Football Playoff national title. Through two seasons, he has developed into one of the Buckeyes’ most productive and dependable playmakers.

The Miami connection also drew attention after the Buckeyes’ postseason loss to the Hurricanes, when Smith was seen interacting with Miami players and coaches after the game.

For some observers, that only underscored how close the relationship remains between Smith and his South Florida roots, even though his football future appears firmly tied to Ohio State.

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Sunny on X:@thesunnyv

This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith says he was target of tampering

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos