No. 1 recruit Jeremiah Smith sticks with Ohio State on signing day
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. -- Jeremiah Smith did what he always said he would.
The top prospect in the class of 2024, committed to Ohio State for more than a calendar year, stuck with the Buckeye commitment with plans to make things official Wednesday afternoon at Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna Prep.
Despite all-in overtures from in-state programs Miami, Florida State and Florida, the five-star talent followed through with his longstanding commitment to Ryan Day's program. After all, assistant coach and wide receiver ace Brian Hartline is still on staff, something that would have to have changed to lead to a commitment change.
"Why not?" Smith said of OSU before the season began. "You've got coach Hartline up there and you see what he's doing with the receivers up there. That's what keeps me locked in, I'm trying to be a first round draft pick like the rest of them guys.
"That's the reason I'm going there."
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Smith kept his word despite buzz-worthy due diligence and return trips to all four programs on his list from the summer months on. He had been asked about all elements of the potential pitches from other programs, from NIL money to playing time, the local angle, future teammates, on-field results and everything in between.
In the end, the ball remained in Ohio State's court and Smith becomes the next great wide receiver to head to Columbus for his college football. Since the beginning of the 2022 season, Smith has led Chaminade to a pair of state championships with staggering production included.
The Buckeye hauled in 153 passes for 2, 487 yards and 39 touchdowns. He added rushing and return scores to the tally in 2023, too, all while being the focal point of the Lions offense. It's that consistent domination that helped Smith become the first wide receiver recruit to be tabbed No. 1 overall in more than a decade.
The only element of the process that overshadowed the elite game was, of course, the recruitment. Smith scoffed at it for most of the process, but when he did speak on it, there was honesty and clarity. It was always going to be Ohio State barring drastic changes with the program. Those didn't happen, so the senior stuck with the longstanding decision.
Even LeBron James chimed in on this ever-tracked recruitment, anticipating Smith's time in Columbus for good. Now that it's official, it's just a matter of when the country's top talent makes that first flash play on Saturdays.
