Miami 'throwing everything they can' at Ohio State WR commit Jeremiah Smith

The recruitment of Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna Five-Star Plus+ Ohio State wide receiver commit Jeremiah Smith won’t stop until he puts pen to paper.

It was a monumental win for Ryan Day and the Buckeyes when Smith committed to OSU on Dec. 14, 2022, but in the eyes of some, that was only a mere checkpoint in the race for the wideout, not a finish line. Smith isn’t playing coy, either. He has made his intentions to continue his process throughout the fall known, while also reaffirming his pledge to the Buckeyes.

Ohio State, Florida, Miami and Florida State are all currently in line to welcome the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2024 cycle — per the On3 Industry Ranking — to their respective campuses for game-day visits. Of those programs, the Hurricanes may have the best shot at pulling off what would be a monumental flip.

On the latest edition of The Inside Scoop, CaneSport recruiting insider Stephen Wagner broke down why Miami is still in play for Smith, as well as what needs to happen in Coral Gables across the next few months if Mario Cristobal and Co. want to flip the top-ranked prospect from Ohio State.

Chaminade-Madonna’s connection with Miami

The Hurricanes are no stranger to big in-state recruiting wins. None would be bigger than landing Smith, and luckily for Miami, it already has two major commitments at Chaminade-Madonna that are in Smith’s ear about keeping the band together once it’s time to make the move to college.

Four-star wide receiver Joshisa Trader and four-star safety Zaquan Patterson have each pledged to the Hurricanes, with Trader’s decision coming in July and Patterson’s on Aug. 26. The pair suit up with Smith every weekend and are now trying to do a little recruiting of their own.

“I can tell you both Trader and Patterson are both trying to flip Jeremiah Smith,” Wagner said. “They are trying to keep this Chaminade trio together in Coral Gables. JoJo Trader remarked to me the other day, he said ‘if i’m able to flip Jeremiah Smith to Miami from Ohio State, you can go ahead and call me the best recruiter in the country.'”

Smith potentially taking multiple visits to Miami this fall

While Miami isn’t the only team getting another visit from Smith this fall, the Hurricanes might have the luxury of getting him on campus for two games: vs. Texas A&M on Sept. 9 and perhaps vs. Clemson on Oct. 31. The opportunity to make a big-time impression with a win or two against what will likely be nationally-ranked opponents is clear to see.

“If Miami’s offense can take that drastic step forward; if the Canes can be competitive and or win both of those games and really show that this program is moving in the right direction … then I think some conversations are definitely going to have to be had about where Jeremiah Smith sits on Miami’s radar,” Wagner said.

In fact, a flip to Miami might actually be more contingent on Cristobal’s team showing improvement on the gridiron, rather than Smith feeling the need to team up with Trader and Patterson once again. Wagner isn’t picking Miami to do the unthinkable, but he knows the charge won’t stop until Smith has made a final decision.

“I think the biggest thing for Miami’s chances, it’s not going to be whether his teammates and his best friends are going to go play college football at Miami,” he said. “The biggest thing is going to be: can the Canes produce results in the season…

“Miami feels like this is a prospect they cannot afford to lose, they are still throwing everything they possibly can at him.”