Ohio State commit Jeremiah Smith compared to NFL WR Jerry Jeudy

The hype is palpable for Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna Five-Star Plus+ wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. The Ohio State commit and No. 1 player in the 2024 cycle — per the On3 Industry Ranking — will begin his senior season this weekend in a home game against nationally-ranked Baltimore St. Frances Academy.

The cousin of NFL quarterback Geno Smith stands 6-foot-3, 200 pounds and headlines the Buckeyes’ recruiting class, which ranks No. 2 in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking. Smith has had a prevalent recruitment and is planning to continue taking visits into the fall.

But just how good is the wideout?

In an episode of the ‘FOOTBALLVILLE’ podcast, Chaminade-Madonna four-star safety Zaquan Patterson brought up a comparison for Smith: former All-American at Alabama and current NFL standout WR Jerry Jeudy.

As a recruit coming out of Pompano Beach (Fla.) Deerfield Beach, Jeudy was the No. 19 player and No. 3 WR in the 2017 class. After a successful three-season career at Alabama, he went on to get selected by the Denver Broncos with the No. 15 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

In a conversation Patterson says he had with an Ohio State coach, the nod was given to Smith over Jeudy, as far as level of talent in high school.

“He’s seen Jerry Jeudy play when he was in high school, and he’s seen (Smith) play. One of the Ohio State coaches, he’s seen both of them. He was like ‘i’m not gonna lie, he’s better than Jeudy,” Patterson said.

The difference? Smith’s undeniable speed that will torture defensive backs across the Florida high school football landscape for the next couple of months. He showcased that speed in a scrimmage last week, in which he torched a defender for an easy 70-yard touchdown.

“He explained it to me, Jerry Jeudy was so good because, the way he ran his routes, the way he’d break down…but if a corner’s smooth, they can cover Jeudy. You can’t cover (Smith) … he covers ground so fast, even if you’re off the line and are like ‘let’s make this a track race,’ he’s gonna run past you still,” Patterson said.

“I want to be a first-round draft pick like Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and soon Marvin Harrison Jr.” “So that’s what I’m gonna do and I’m gonna do that at Ohio State,” Smith told Letterman Row in June.

Smith has an On3 NIL Valuation of $457K. 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.

Jeremiah Smith Scouting Summary

“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.”

On3’s comparison for Smith is another memorable SEC receiver that went on to have a great career in the NFL: AJ Green.