Ohio State star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith confirms that one particular team came after him at the end of the 2025 season.
Ohio State superstar Jeremiah Smith confirmed that there was a "certain team" that came after him pretty hard after the Buckeyes were defeated by the Miami Hurricanes in the 2025 College Football Playoff.
Smith said that he wouldn't say any names, but that we could probably guess exactly which program it was.
The connection from the Miami program to Smith is obvious and strong. Smith spent his high school days at Chaminade-Madonna, just about 30 minutes from the Miami campus.
Had the Hurricanes been in the position that the program is now, it would have been a much tougher decision. But three years ago, when he committed to Ohio State, it was the best place for him, and now three years later, it still stays that way.
Smith's commitment to the Buckeyes has never waivered no matter who has come calling. It does help that the Buckeyes have been competing for National Championships for his entire career in Columbus, so no other program could be all that more enticing.
Once his hometown team, which played in the National Championship last year, came calling, it was the most intriguing offer he had received. But, right from his mouth, he "wasn't going anywhere."
Smith has a major responsibility on his hands next year. For the first time in the past decade, the Buckeyes are not going to have the best wide receiver core in the country. We have gotten so used to there being two first-round picks in that receiver room, it just won't be the case next year.
The good part is that Smith is likely the best football player in the country, still. The bad part is that behind him are several question marks. The depth chart behind Smith is Brandon Inniss, Devin McCuin, and Kyle Parker, along with a couple of freshmen in Chris Henry Jr. and Phillip Bell.
Last year, Jeremiah Smith had 1,234 yards and 12 touchdowns. The rest of the room combined had 1,327 yards and 15 touchdowns. The supporting role behind Smith is a major question mark.
The Buckeyes on offense have to show up in 2026. That side of the ball cost the Buckeyes a National Championship in 2025, and they come into 2026 as the more veteran group, even with the changes in the receiver room.
The same way that the Buckeyes' defense carried Ohio State last year, the offense will have to assume that role in 2026. It will be a major challenge, but, at the very least, they will have the best oplayer in College Football still on their roster, even with Miami making a run at him.
Buckeye Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Ohio State Buckeyes. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.