Jeremiah Smith has just as many friends at Miami as he does at Ohio State. After the Cotton Bowl, his coaches weren’t taking any chances. They had to walk him back to the locker room themselves. Smith already said he would have played for the Hurricanes if the program was as good during his recruitment as it is now.
According to Bro Bible, a new video shows just how strong his ties to Miami really are. Smith is a Miami boy through and through. He was the top recruit in the 2024 class and the highest-rated wide receiver in high school history.
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound player got 40 scholarship offers and could have gone anywhere he wanted. Smith grew up in Miami Gardens, Florida. He played one year at Monsignor Edward Pace High School before moving to Chaminade-Madonna College Prep in Hollywood. There, he caught 177 passes for over 3,000 yards and 46 touchdowns. He also won state titles in the 110-meter and 400-meter hurdles as a junior.
Operation Sports App
Your ultimate companion for sports gaming. Access in-depth coverage, thoughtful discussion, and a community built around the games—and sports—you love.
Your ultimate sports gaming companion.
Smith’s deep roots in South Florida made this moment inevitable
Everyone thought Smith would stay in Florida and play for Florida, Florida State, or Miami. Miami seemed like the obvious pick, but the team wasn’t doing well when he was in high school. So Smith chose Ohio State instead. His bond with coach Brian Hartline, the NIL money, and Miami’s struggles were big reasons for his choice. Similar to how Myles Garrett’s comments sparked speculation, Smith’s words hinted at what could have been.
Before the Cotton Bowl, Smith admitted he actually wanted to play for Miami. Many of his friends and former teammates are on Miami’s roster now. That became very clear after the game on New Year’s Eve.
Miami beat Ohio State on Wednesday and moved on to the playoff semifinal. Smith, who won a national title last season, didn’t look too upset about the loss. He stayed on the field after the game to talk with his old teammates and friends from the Miami area. He even hugged members of Miami’s coaching staff.
The handshakes went on and on. Ohio State coaches thought it lasted too long. An assistant coach tried to get Smith back to the locker room, but more players and coaches kept stopping him to talk. Smith has one year of college left before he can go pro. “Idk he looks real comfortable with Miami,” the top comment on the video read.
Hartline is leaving for USF. Could Smith transfer back to Miami? It seems more likely he’ll skip next season to prepare for the NFL Draft, but anything is possible.
The NIL era has changed everything, and Miami is winning now. Just as Russell Westbrook recently claimed an untouchable record, Smith could make history with whatever decision he makes next. Still, Ohio State’s staff didn’t want to risk it. They got him off the field as fast as they could.
Published: Jan 4, 2026 12:00 pm