On-field success helping Miami try to flip Ohio State Five-Star Plus+ WR commit Jeremiah Smith

It’s been nearly 10 months since Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna Five-Star Plus+ wide receiver Jeremiah Smith committed to Ohio State.

Since Dec. 14, 2022, all of the talk surrounding the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2024 cycle has been about other high-profile programs doing what they can to try and flip him from his pledge to the Buckeyes.

Smith hasn’t shut his recruitment down, having taken continuous visits despite his commitment. One of the teams that’s been front-and-center in the flipping efforts is Miami. The next step for Mario Cristobal and Co. comes this weekend, as Smith will be one of many elite recruits in Coral Gables for the Hurricanes’ matchup against Georgia Tech.

CaneSport recruiting insider Stephen Wagner joined On3’s Josh Newberg to detail the latest on where Miami stands with Smith, as well as what needs to be done on the field for the Hurricanes to have a legitimate shot at pulling off what would be the biggest flip of the 2024 cycle.

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Improvement on the field makes Miami more enticing

“We knew going into the year that Miami’s on-field success was going to have direct correlation to their chances with Jeremiah Smith,” Wagner said. “Miami had their chance with him, I think there was a point where they had a really good shot with him before he committed to Ohio State.”

Miami had a deplorable 2022, losing seven games in a season that turned out much differently than many in Coral Gables expected. This season has been much different, however, as the Canes are currently 4-0, including a major win over Texas A&M.

Cristobal’s recruiting pitch to many has surrounded the idea of Miami returning to its old self. Now that that vision is becoming clearer, the head coach is gaining some merit to try and bolster his top-20 recruiting class.

According to Wagner, the addition of wide receivers coach Kevin Beard has also made a major impact on prospects at Smith’s position wanting to come and play for Miami. It’ll take a sizable impression this weekend and beyond to pull Smith away from his Ohio State pledge, but the Canes feel they have the pieces in place to try and make it happen.

“The addition of Kevin Beard — who has been a very good recruiter so far this season. He’s done a really tremendous job with building bonds with some of these 2024 receiver prospects,” Wagner said.

“I really do think that if Miami can put together a really solid game this weekend and if Miami can continue to build on that recruiting momentum, if they’re able to get to the threshold where they’re at nine, 10 or even more wins than that, then all of a sudden I think there’s a very good chance that things become kind of interesting and intriguing by the time that we get to December … this recruitment is far from over.”

Jeremiah Smith Scouting Summary

“Jeremiah Smith is one of the more talented and well-rounded receiver prospects in recent cycles. The highest-rated wide receiver prospect from Florida in well over a decade. A big, skilled receiver with fluidity and savvy for the position. Measured in at 6-foot-3 and around 200 pounds with a 32.5-inch arm prior to his senior season. Had a breakout junior season, catching 58 passes for 1,073 yards and 20 touchdowns while leading Chaminade-Madonna to a state title. A very polished route-runner at this stage with rare ability to change directions at his size. Smooth mover with technical refinement that allows for separation. Regularly stacks cornerbacks off the line. Pairs his route-running ability with advanced ball skills. Has strong hands and comes down with catches in traffic.

…A high-level ball tracker with the ability to locate the football over his shoulder. Capable of making fantastic one-handed grabs. Also flashes ability after the catch. Has the size to run through contact and a long stride to pull away in the open field. Also a strong track athlete winning state titles in the 110 meter and 400 meter hurdles as a junior. An extremely well-rounded prospect with a high floor and ceiling. Looks like a prototypical X wide receiver prospect with considerable traits and skills that point to an upside as a high draft pick.”

Smith has an On3 NIL Valuation of $461K. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.