Top Recruit Jeremiah Smith on NIL: "Everybody is Throwing All Types of Money At Us"
Five-star wide receiver and top overall 2024 recruit Jeremiah Smith has been committed to Ohio State for more than a year, so when the early signing period began on Wednesday, he had the chance to follow through on that commitment.
Smith signed with the Buckeyes, and even though he’s been linked to the Buckeyes, that didn't stop other schools from trying to flip him with potential NIL deals before he signed, according to Smith and his father, Chris.
The "generational talent" from Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Florida was pursued by Miami, Florida and Florida State and there were bags of NIL cash on the line.
"I know with NIL, we're going to get that,” Smith told 247Sports.com recently. “Everybody is throwing all types of money at us right now.”
The dead period for recruiting just started. But, before that, Smith had multiple contacts with two Florida schools.
Florida State, which is still reeling from its exclusion from the College Football Playoff despite a 13-0 record and an ACC championship, had him on campus on December 8. The Seminoles made an in-home visit last week, led by head coach Mike Norvell and wide receivers coach Ron Dugans.
The Florida Gators also sent coaches to his home last week and has hosted him twice this season in Gainesville.
Miami hasn’t visited lately, yet there is still a chance for the Hurricanes.
“Miami is throwing all types of money at me,” Smith said.
Smith is the first wide receiver to be named the No. 1 overall recruit by 247Sports.com in the site’s history. By signing with Ohio State, he would be joining a program that has steadily produced some of the best wide receivers in college football, the latest being Marvin Harrison Jr., a Heisman Trophy finalist this season.
Across the 2024 class, he has a Top 5 valuation - of $512,000 - from On3.com based on its NIL formula. The four players in front of him are all quarterbacks, including potential college teammate, Air Noland, who is also committed to Ohio State.
According to Smith, he’s looking for a lot more than just an NIL deal.
"Show me the things you could do for me but even better than what Ohio State is going to do for me," he said. "I went up there and they have a plan for me already. If I go to a school and they show they can do better than what Ohio State is giving me - the things they're going to do with me in the program once I get there - that's what it's going to take."
