Jeremiah Smith: From Florida High School Football Superstar to CFP National Champion

Former Chaminade-Madonna great Jeremiah Smith capped a brilliant freshman season at Ohio State by helping his Buckeyes win the CFP National Championship
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) makes a catch against Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Christian Gray (29) in the fourth quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) makes a catch against Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Christian Gray (29) in the fourth quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025. / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA – Long before Jeremiah Smith became a record-setting receiver and national champion at Ohio State, the freshman sensation had already established himself as one of the best receivers ever to come out of South Florida during his epic career at Chaminade-Madonna.

Smith added to his growing legend Monday night with five catches for a team-high 88 yards receiving and a touchdown. His first catch of the night, a 56-yard third down conversation, setup Ohio State's first score jumpstarted the Buckeyes' 34-23 victory.

When you consider just how many great pass catchers are from Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, that’s saying something.

The list of “Who’s Who” includes Michael Irvin, Andre Johnson, Amari Cooper, Isaac Bruce, T.Y. Hilton, Zay Flowers, Calvin Ridley and we can go on and on and on.

Where can Jeremiah Smith ultimately rank in South Florida football lore? At the top, according to legendary reporter Larry Blustein of Prep Redzone.

“Without a doubt,” Blustein said. “He’s an elite kid. There’s been some elite guys. The Andre Johnson-type guys that come out. But I don’t think there’s been anybody who has been that type of a kid that comes in and dominates on an elite team, right away, in college.”

When it comes to South Florida football, Blustein, with more than 50 years of experience covering the sport, is a leading authority. He’s seen all the greats.

When breaking it down, what Smith has done in his first season with the Buckeyes has been nothing short of sensational.

“The stage was never too big for him. When you’re that physical, and you’ve been getting it done since you were a little kid, like I said, nothing is a surprise.”

Larry Blustein

In his first season in Columbus, Smith registered 76 catches for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdown receptions, setting Ohio State records by a freshman. The player Smith surpassed in these categories is Hall of Famer, Cris Carter.

“Andre Johnson and all of those guys made an impression,” Blustein said. “But not like Jeremiah. From the day that he walked on campus last January, he was the best they had.”

Smith’s dominance is a big reason Ohio State is playing Notre Dame on Monday night in college football’s national championship game.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder is a physical presence, as well as a deep threat, averaging 17.3 yards per reception.

The bigger the stage, the better Smith performs. On Jan. 1 against Oregon in the Rose Bowl, Smith put on a show with his seven catches for 187 yards and two-touchdown performance.

Smith’s emergence on the college stage has made him a household name. Someone destined for greatness in college, and eventually the NFL.

Jeremiah Smith running for a touchdown in the 2023 Class 1M state championship game
Jeremiah Smith's emergence as a freshman star at Ohio State has come as no surprise to anyone who witnessed his spectacular high school career in South Florida at Chaminade-Madonna where he was biggers, stronger, faster and more talented than nearly everyone he faced. / Matt Christopher

But the 19-year-old was well known growing up in Hollywood, Fla., from the time he was on youth teams before high school, and eventually as a three-time state champion playing for legendary coach Dameon Jones at Chaminade-Madonna.

The cousin of NFL quarterback Geno Smith, Jeremiah Smith grew up in a high-level football environment.

“The stage was never too big for him,” Blustein said. “When you’re that physical, and you’ve been getting it done since you were a little kid, like I said, nothing is a surprise.”

By the time he was a senior at Chaminade-Madonna in 2023, Smith was among the most highly recruited players in the country. By some accounts, he was not only the top receiver in ’24 recruiting class, Smith also was ranked as the top overall player.

You didn’t get many arguments from those who faced Smith and a loaded Lions’ team, which also included speedy receiver Jojo Trader, who just completed his freshman season at Miami.

National power Bergen Catholic (N.J.) made the trip to South Florida in ’23. In their marquee matchup against Chaminade in early September, Smith put on a clinic with 17 catches for a whopping 321 yards and three touchdowns in a 61-21 blowout.

“That was about as dominant of a wide receiver performance I’ve ever seen,” Catholic coach Vito Campanile said after that game. “He might be the best wide receiver in the country.”

It was more of the same in Chaminade’s Class 1A state championship game, with Smith making his presence felt on the first drive, catching a long touchdown pass from Cedrick Bailey (now the quarterback at North Carolina State).

In a 56-0 blowout of Clearwater Central Catholic in the title game, Smith had 183 yards on 13 catches and a touchdown.

Smith’s dominance was on display his entire senior season, with 90 catches for 1,389 yards and 19 touchdowns.

To say the least, Smith’s transition to college was a smooth one.

“It’s hard to believe to believe that anybody can come out like that and just dominate,” Blustein said. “He’s 6-3, 215 pounds and running in the 4.37 range. He’s just elite. Calvin Johnson is the guy he reminds me of.”


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Joe Frisaro
JOE FRISARO

Joe Frisaro is a veteran sports journalist with more than 40 years of professional experience. Joe graduated from the University of Alabama in 1983, and worked for two decades with various newspapers, including the Tampa Tribune, where he covered the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the NFL. Joe was part of the growth at MLB.com, where he covered the Miami Marlins for 18 seasons before taking early retirement in 2020.  Joe’s ManOn2nd Podcast appears on the Real Voices of the Game Productions, and he’s covered South Florida prep sports for SBLive Sports Florida since 2022. Follow Joe on Twitter @JoeFrisaro