Jeremiah Smith’s Miami What-If: A Star Receiver’s Honest Reflection on His College Choice
It’s the kind of comment that stops Miami Hurricanes fans in their tracks - not because it’s bitter, but because it’s honest. Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State’s All-American wide receiver and one of the most electrifying talents in college football, admitted this week that things could’ve turned out very differently if Miami had been more competitive during his high school years.
“I’d probably ended up going to Miami if things was on the right track then and there,” Smith said during Cotton Bowl media availability. “But I chose to stick with Ohio State.”
That’s a gut punch of a quote for Canes fans - not because Smith is rubbing it in, but because it reinforces just how close Miami was to landing a generational talent from its own backyard.
A Natural Fit That Never Happened
Smith’s Miami roots run deep. He’s a Miami Gardens native who played at powerhouse Miami Central before finishing his high school career at Chaminade-Madonna.
For a program that’s long prided itself on keeping elite local talent home, Smith would’ve been a crown jewel. And for a moment, it sounds like he seriously considered it.
But the timing just wasn’t right.
Aside from a 10-win campaign in 2024, Miami hadn’t posted a double-digit win season since 2017. National title contention wasn’t just off the table - it wasn’t even in the conversation. And for a player like Smith, whose ceiling was always sky-high, that mattered.
Meanwhile, Ohio State offered everything Miami couldn’t at the time: a stable program, a proven track record of wide receiver development, and a legitimate shot at championships. The Buckeyes have been operating in a different stratosphere - where anything less than a playoff berth is seen as a letdown.
Smith’s Rise at Ohio State
Since arriving in Columbus, Smith has done exactly what elite prospects are supposed to do - deliver. In just two seasons, he’s already earned two All-American selections, caught 26 touchdown passes, and added a Rose Bowl MVP to his resume. Oh, and he helped Ohio State win the 2024 national championship.
That’s not just production - that’s legacy-building.
And it’s not hard to see why. Ohio State has become the premier destination for elite wide receivers, earning the unofficial title of “Wide Receiver U” in recent years.
From the scheme to the coaching to the quarterback play, the Buckeyes have created an environment where pass-catchers thrive. Smith didn’t just fit into that culture - he elevated it.
A Missed Opportunity for Miami
There’s no bitterness in Smith’s comments - just a candid look at how close Miami came to landing him, and how much the program’s on-field struggles cost them in the recruiting race. For Miami fans, it’s a reminder that winning still matters. Culture, tradition, and hometown pride are powerful, but they can only go so far when the wins don’t follow.
Smith’s decision wasn’t about turning his back on his city - it was about chasing greatness. And in that pursuit, Ohio State offered the clearest path.
The Ironic Twist
In a way, Smith still ended up at a version of “The U.” Not the one in Coral Gables, but the one that now owns the nickname “Wide Receiver U.” And he’s not just part of it - he’s one of the faces of it.
So as Miami prepares to face Ohio State in the College Football Playoff on New Year’s Eve, the storyline writes itself: The Hurricanes will go up against the superstar who could’ve been theirs - if only the timing had been right.
What could have been? For Miami, it’s a tough question.
For Smith, it’s a reflection. And for Ohio State, it’s one more reason they’re back in the playoff - with one of the best receivers in the country leading the way.