Jeremiah Smith Faces Hometown Hurricanes in Cotton Bowl Clash - And He’s Got Something to Prove
The Ohio State Buckeyes have touched down in Dallas, locked in for their Cotton Bowl showdown against the Miami Hurricanes. After falling short in the Big Ten Championship, the Buckeyes are coming into this one with a chip on their shoulder and something to prove. It’s been three weeks of preparation, and now it’s go time.
But for one Buckeye, this game hits a little closer to home.
Jeremiah Smith vs. His Hometown Team
Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is stepping into a unique spotlight in this bowl matchup. The Miami native will be lining up against the team he grew up watching, the one that’s been in his ear every offseason trying to lure him back home. Hurricanes fans haven’t been shy about their feelings - every year, Smith hears the same pitch: come back to Miami.
But Smith has stayed the course with Ohio State - and with good reason.
This week, he opened up about why he made that decision in the first place. In a conversation with Ari Wasserman of On3, Smith was asked a pretty direct question: if Miami had been more competitive in big games, would he have stayed home?
His answer was refreshingly honest.
“Most likely, yeah,” Smith said. “I probably would've ended up going to Miami if things were on the right track then and there. But I chose to stick with Ohio State.”
That’s not a shot - it’s just the reality of big-time college football. When it came time to make a decision, Smith went with the program that consistently plays on the biggest stages and develops elite wide receiver talent year after year. That’s what Ohio State has built its reputation on, and it’s what drew Smith to Columbus.
A Missed Opportunity for Miami
There’s no sugarcoating it - this one stings for Miami fans. Smith is a generational talent, the kind of player who doesn’t just change games but changes programs.
If the Hurricanes had been more competitive when he was coming out of high school, things might have played out differently. But they weren’t, and he made a business decision - one that’s paying off.
Now, with the NFL Draft already looming on the horizon, Smith is expected to be a top-five pick next year. He’s not just playing for the Buckeyes; he’s helping lead them into the future. And before he takes that next step, he’s got one more goal in mind: deliver a statement performance against the team he once considered joining.
The Stage Is Set
This Cotton Bowl isn’t just another postseason game - it’s a personal one. Smith has the chance to show his hometown team what they missed out on, and you can bet he’ll be ready.
He’s been hearing the noise from Miami fans for years. Now, he gets to answer it on the field.
And if you know anything about Jeremiah Smith, you know he’s not the type to let a moment like this slip by.
The Buckeyes are hungry. Smith is focused.
And Miami? Well, they’re about to find out exactly what they missed.