2024 5-star WR Jeremiah Smith breaks down his commitment to Ohio State

Since his first visit in June 2021, Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna Prep five-star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith felt good about Ohio State. Multiple coaches built bonds with him, including head coach Ryan Day, wide receivers coach Brian Hartline and senior advisor to the head coach Keenan Bailey.

Those relationships mean a lot to Smith. It is a key reason why he committed to Ohio State on Wednesday, choosing the Buckeyes over USC and Miami.

“It’s just the brotherhood,” Smith told On3. “The brotherhood up there with the players, the coaches, you can see it if you go up there and watch a game or practice. It’s a brotherhood and the coaches, they actually care about you on and off the field.”

Smith impressed by Ohio State’s success with wide receivers

Hartline’s success leading wide receivers at Ohio State stood out to Smith. He has recently mentored some of the top wideouts in college football, including Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr., Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave.

Smith bonded with Hartline, including through watching film. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound recruit realized that if he chose Ohio State, Hartline could help him become a great receiver.

“Coach Hartline, he keeps it real with you,” said Smith, the No. 2 overall prospect and No. 1 wide receiver in the 2024 On3 Consensus. “He really wants to develop receivers and (help them) become a first round pick, like he did with Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. He’s probably going to have Jaxon Smith-Njigba, then Marvin after that. Coach Hartline, he’s a great recruiter too. We don’t only talk about football. We talk about life.”

Smith is now one of multiple blue-chip wideouts bound for the Buckeyes. Ohio State has commitments from three of the top 10 wide receivers in the 2023 On3 Consensus in Miami Gardens (Fla.) American Heritage five-star  Brandon Inniss, Chicago (Ill.) IMG Academy four-star Carnell Tate and Rolesville (N.C.) four-star Noah Rogers. Playing alongside talented receivers is an opportunity that excites the Florida native.

“I wanted to go somewhere where I’d know I’d get developed,” said Smith, who called Columbus “his second home.” “I really wanted to go to where I could play with some dogs too.”

Smith is locked in, but not shutting down his recruitment

Right now, Smith is a key part of the Buckeyes’ 2024 recruiting class, which ranks No. 1 in the 2024 On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings. The group contains four players, including Chandler (Ariz.) Five-Star Plus+ quarterback Dylan Raiola, the No. 1 overall prospect in the On3 Consensus.

Smith felt great about his commitment, but is still interested in visiting other schools. He plans to see programs including Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and USC.

“I’m going to still take some visits,” Smith said. “I’m not giving other schools no chances. I’m gonna see everything. But right now, I’m locked in.”