Recruiting insider feels confident Ohio State will sign 5-star WR commit Jeremiah Smith

No football recruitment will be more watched this fall than that of Five-Star Plus+ wide receiver and Ohio State commit Jeremiah Smith.

Even though he committed to the Buckeyes back in December, other schools have remained in pursuit of Smith since, including in-state programs like Miami and Florida State.

Smith took official visits to Florida, Miami and Georgia in June, as well as an unofficial visit to FSU, but has maintained he is strongly committed to Ohio State.

On Saturday during his team’s game on ESPN, Smith reaffirmed his intentions to sign with the Buckeyes and enroll early in January.

“I want to show them that I’m coming to Ohio State to be one of the best receivers to ever come through Ohio State,” Smith told ESPN’s broadcast. “And I’m coming. In January, I definitely will be there. I’m coming to work, definitely. Go Bucks.”

Other teams still in pursuit of the Buckeyes top commit

After the game though, Smith spoke with On3’s Chad Simmons and told him that he still plans to visit the in-state schools this fall and will take an official visit to Florida State in December.

Still, it will take a minor miracle to pull Smith away from Ohio State, according to 247Sports.com’s Steve Wiltfong.

“Florida is fighting, Florida State is fighting, Miami is fighting, but let’s just cut right to the chase,” he said. “I don’t think Ohio State fans should sweat over Jeremiah Smith. I think he’s ultimately going to sign with the Buckeyes. It’s a program that has proven to him they can develop him into a first-round draft pick. His relationship with Brian Hartline is second-to-none. And the offense that Ryan Day and Coach Hartline and Co. run, those are all factors.

… I feel good about Ohio State ultimately signing Jeremiah Smith.”

Jeremiah Smith gives OSU another elite wideout

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Smith has the chance to the first wideout to finish as the nation’s No. 1 recruit since Percy Harvin in 2006. He has been compared to former Cincinnati Bengals star and seven-time Pro Bowler A.J. Green.

“Jeremiah Smith is one of the more talented and well-rounded receiver prospects in recent cycles,” On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power writes. “He is 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.”

Smith is one of five 5-star commitments for Ohio State in the 2024 cycle, joining quarterback Air Noland, wide receiver Mylan Graham, and defensive linemen Eddrick Houston and Justin Scott.