There's no going out in public without getting recognized these days for Jeremiah Smith.
The deadliest weapon of Ohio State's 2024 national championship run might be more well-known than a college player coming off his freshman season ever has been. Crowds of Buckeye fans congregate around him wherever he goes, even in the presence of other team stars.
How we envision it looking everywhere Jeremiah Smith goes #B1GFootball pic.twitter.com/eVlJJ0fhEz
— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) April 5, 2025
Lately, in an interview with FOX Sports' Michael Cohen, Smith detailed how much things have changed.
"When I want groceries from either Kroger or Target, I have to get it delivered to my house," Smith told Cohen. "It’s crazy. But I guess this is what comes with it. This is my lifestyle now."
The latest and greatest sign of Smith's stardom is his selection as an EA Sports College Football 26 cover athlete, joining fellow sophomore wide receiver Ryan Williams of Alabama. The duo is the first pair of underclassmen ever to grace the cover of an EA college football game.
"It’s something that you dreamed of," Smith said. "But to actually think you would be a cover athlete, and then it actually happened, it’s something crazy for sure."
Like many football fans, Smith grew up playing the NCAA football series, especially with his cousin and Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith. Despite his underclass status, his performance in 2024 made Jeremiah Smith a clear candidate to be this year's cover athlete.
Sophomore season loading
— EASPORTSCollege (@EASPORTSCollege) May 27, 2025
Your #CFB26 Cover Stars @Ryanwms1 + @Jermiah_Smith1
Coming July 10. Full Reveal Thursday.
: https://t.co/Evtg4x97HP pic.twitter.com/AVoMYokJIr
Smith hauled in 76 receptions for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns in his first college football season, shattering all of Ohio State's freshman receiving records and helping guide the Buckeyes to a national championship victory. He collected 381 receiving yards and five touchdowns in four College Football Playoff games.
A Heisman Trophy campaign is more than on the table for Smith. Only five wide receivers have ever won college football's most prestigious award, but two-way Colorado player Travis Hunter (2024) and Alabama's DeVonta Smith (2020) made it two Heisman winners in the last five years at the position.
"I definitely want to win it," Smith said. "But I’m just all about the team first. I just want to win that big one, that national championship. That’s all I really care about. We’ve gotta repeat and win it again."
Smith might not be able to go to a Publix store anymore, but his front-and-center spot in the public eye is undeniable.
