Florida State pushing for Ohio State 5-star WR commit Jeremiah Smith

Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna Prep Five-Star Plus+ wide receiver Jeremiah Smith was back on the road this weekend, visiting Tallahassee as Florida State took on rival Miami.

Smith has taken a number of visits around the Sunshine State, and the Seminoles are pushing hard to try to flip the Ohio State commit. Smith pledged to the Buckeyes last December and has remained locked in with Ohio State despite taking a look around at other programs.

On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons spoke about Florida State’s chances and the Buckeyes’ defense of Smith’s commitment on The Inside Scoop football recruiting show.

“They’re trying to play defense now on the recruiting trail and kind of hold Florida State off from Five-Star Plus+ wide receiver Jeremiah Smith,” Simmons said. “We know, obviously, he made headlines all over the weekend being back at Florida State, staying the night, meeting with the staff again on Sunday morning before heading back south to Hollywood, Florida. He’s set to be back for that official visit in December just days before the Early Signing Period. I think there is some level of worry.

“I think Ohio State is taking Florida State extremely seriously as a threat in this race,” Simmons added. “Florida State definitely has opened Jeremiah’s eyes with the play on the field this year, the play of Keon Coleman, Johnny Wilson, Hykeem Williams is getting involved as a true freshman. Who’s that next guy to step up and be that No. 1 guy at Florida State? How they throw the ball, they’re winning big games, they come in prepared week after week under Mike Norvell.

Ohio State holding strong

“But again, I think if all stays the same at Ohio State with Ryan Day and Brian Hartline, it’s going to be extremely tough to flip him away from Ohio State,” Simmons said. “Those relationships, again going back to the proof in the pudding about how he produces — Brian Hartline — the wide receivers, getting those guys prepared for NFL first-round draft picks. They’re going to lose some receivers, Marvin Harrison and those guys are moving on. There’s some transfer portal guys likely going in. So the opportunity will be there for Jeremiah right away in Columbus to play and make that big impact as a true freshman.

“So Florida State — very much in this, they are a real threat to Ohio State — but I think right now, as things stand where they are, Ohio State is still in a pretty good position to hang on here.”