5-star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith rejects Miami’s flip effort and commits to Ohio State
Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly claimed that Smith had signed his NLI with OSU. His signed NLI had not been received by any school as of 5 p.m. For clarity and accuracy, this item has been changed to clarify that Smith reaffirmed his commitment to OSU rather than signing his NLI.
You win some and you lose some in the realm of recruiting. On the first day of the Early Signing Period, Miami lost a huge one when Hollywood (FL) Chaminade-Madonna 5-star WR Jeremiah Smith — the #1 player in America — rejected the hometown Canes and reiterated his commitment to Ohio State.
Even if convincing Smith to stay in Miami was always going to be difficult, this is one of the Canes’ biggest losses in this class.
Smith is everyone’s All-American at 6’4″ and 200 pounds. He has prototypical size, great skill, and exceptional performances in every game he’s played in the last three years, and perhaps longer. He’s a MaxPreps National Player of the Year finalist. And the list continues on. Allowing a player of this skill and unusual mix of size and athleticism to escape is again another horrible, bad miss for Miami at the receiver position.
You win some and you lose some in the realm of recruiting. Miami suffered a significant setback On the first day of the Early Signing Period, Hollywood (FL) Chaminade-Madonna 5-star WR Jeremiah Smith – the #1 athlete in America — turned down his local Canes and reaffirmed his commitment to Ohio State.
Even if convincing Smith to stay in Miami was always going to be difficult, this is one of the Canes’ biggest losses in this class.
Smith is everyone’s All-American at 6’4″ and 200 pounds. He has prototypical size, great skill, and exceptional performances in every game he’s played in the last three years, and perhaps longer. He’s a MaxPreps National Player of the Year finalist. And the list continues on. To allow a player of this skill and unique combination to play Allowing size and ability to slip away is yet another blunder for Miami at the receiver position.
I’m sure you’re aware of the litany of elite South Florida receivers who have gone elsewhere than Miami in recent years. Amari Cooper, for example. Jeudy, Jerry. Ridley, Calvin. Inniss, Brandon. Brooks, Ja’Corey. Xavier Williams is a surname. Unfortunately, Smith has joined that group and will now play for a team other than Miami.
No, a “must get” recruit does not exist. And, while Miami already has two All-American WRs signed in the 2024 recruiting class in Ny Carr and Smith’s HS teammate Jojo Trader, missing on Smith is just the latest in a long string of misses on the finest local talent.
Everyone, including Miami, was facing an uphill battle in this recruiting after Smith’s early pledge to OSU more than a year ago.
Miami and Florida State (and others, but those were the main teams) made every effort to persuade Smith to change his mind.
Both schools had the exceptional receiver on campus no less than five times. However, it was insufficient. Damn.
