Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith Shares Personal Update Before Texas Game
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Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith opened his junior season with another dominant performance, recording eight catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns in the Buckeyes’ 56-3 victory over Ball State, even though he exited the game early.
With just one game of the 2026 college football season in the books, Smith and Adidas revealed the latest development in their NIL partnership on Tuesday by launching the brand’s new “Show ‘Em” campaign with a fresh commercial.
Smith’s father, Chris Smith, narrates the ad, which focuses on the star receiver’s upbringing in the Miami Gardens area and the mentality behind his rise.
“This JJ,” Chris Smith said. “This Miami Gardens. This is the hill worth trying on. When you love the work, this ain’t nothing. Go ‘head, JJ. Show ’em.”
The campaign represents another step in Smith’s off-field relationship with Adidas after he signed an NIL deal with the company ahead of his sophomore season in 2025.
According to On3, Smith currently holds a confirmed NIL valuation of $5 million, the fifth-largest in the NIL100 rankings.
Even though Smith has a personal deal with Adidas, he can’t fully benefit from it because of his ties to Ohio State, a program sponsored by Nike. Smith wears Nike products while representing the Buckeyes during games, so his Adidas partnership only covers off-field products, marketing campaigns and individual social media posts.
Speaking to The Athletic’s Manny Navarro at the time of his signing with Adidas, the receiver explained that his personal history with the brand helped him choose its deal over Nike’s.
“I’ve been wearing Adidas since I was a young kid, 11, 10 years old,” Smith said. “To be a part of the brand is something special.”
Smith entered 2026 after recording 87 receptions for 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore, and he’s one of the leading candidates to win the Heisman Trophy this year.
The No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes will visit the newly-minted No. 4 Texas Longhorns on Saturday in one of the most anticipated matchups of the early season.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 11, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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