In 2013, Jeremiah Smith was cut from his youth football team in a move that forever changed his career trajectory. Eleven years later, he won a national championship and was, arguably, the best player in the country as a true freshman.
It was at the moment, at only seven years old, that Smith knew he wanted to be great at the sport he loved most, and he did everything possible to make that happen.
"The reason I am who I am today is because I've just been the hardest worker on every team that I've been on," he said. "My dad always reminded me when I was younger, like, remember that feeling of you being cut and don't ever forget it."
After the worst day of his life, in his own words, Smith worked harder than ever. A year later, he won his league's Heisman award. He was then named the best receiver at nine, 11, and 13 years old, winning three Super Bowls along the way while being named the best youth football team all three years.
Eleven years after others admitted that he wasn't good enough to make a team and on a Buckeye team full of talented upperclassmen, it was Smith, a true freshman, who was Ohio State's best player during the Buckeyes' national championship season in 2024.
"Winning the national championship, that's something I dreamed of," Smith said. "That's definitely at the top of my list for sure."
In a way, Smith's youth football career started much like his Ohio State career: Bad, to say the least. In his first play as a Buckeye, Smith dropped a wide-open screen pass with plenty of open field ahead of him. His second play? A false start.
But in the end, the star finished on top of his respective league, much like he did in South Florida. He wants to eventually do the same in the NFL, and he knows Ohio State gives him the best opportunity to do so.
"Why Ohio State? I wanted to be a first-round receiver, so that's why I came here,” Smith said. “And I just want to be developed and go against the best each and every day."
Why Ohio State? It was love at first sight (visit?) for Jeremiah Smith.
— Josh Poloha (@JorshP) September 10, 2025
This place has always been a special place of mine since day one, he said. Probably the best decision I ever made in my life was coming to Ohio State and being a Buckeye.
Being around great group of pic.twitter.com/NX9zPA9xVH
While Smith still has plenty of time to prove that he is the best player in college football, his head coach believes that the star checks all the boxes, both on and off the field.
"Is he tall? Yes. Is he fast? Yes. Is he powerful? Yes. Is he smart? Yes. You kind of check all these boxes,” Ryan Day said. “And so most people would just kind of rely on those talents. But what's unique about Jeremiah is he's got a tremendous work ethic. There's not a sprint that he doesn't win. And then the skill of playing the position, in and out of breaks, His blocking. The way he goes up and gets a ball. It's this great combination of discipline and skill with talent."
Day compared Smith's work ethic to the late, great Kobe Bryant.
"Kobe Bryant was a different personality, but I see some of the same traits in Jeremiah," Day said. "He is determined to be the best in the world at what he does. The great ones, the special ones, they're always just a little bit insecure. They are always trying to prove themselves on a day-to-day basis. They're always thinking to themselves, maybe I'm not that good."
That said, Brian Hartline compared the wideout to LeBron James.
"We've not had a player that has had that much LeBron-ish, like over-the-top fanfare,” Hartline said. “But I can't emphasize enough how humble he is and how he goes about his business and how he handles it. If I could have my son act like anybody, it would be like him."
Even with so much fame already, the 6-foot-3, 223-pound receiver still believes that he has plenty to prove as a Buckeye. He had one great season that ended with a ring, but he wants to continue to put up big numbers and bring OSU another national championship.
"I had one great season, but I just have to continue to do well this year and go out every game and put on a show," Smith said of continuing his greatness.
In the end, the sophomore will likely break plenty more records as a Buckeye and finish among the best at his position in Ohio State history, but before then, Smith named his Mount Rushmore of Ohio State wide receivers, a list that does not include himself:
- Cris Carter
- Marvin Harrison Jr.
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba
- Ted Ginn Jr.
While donning the scarlet and gray and eventually throughout his NFL career as well, though, Smith hopes to leave a legacy and be the best at what he does, both on and off the field
"What I want people to remember about Jeremiah Smith is that I want to make a name for myself," he said. "I want to leave a legacy behind. Just a humble kid. I'm going to strive to be the best at what I do."
