Eric Boggs
There’s something to be said about loyalty in today’s college football landscape, especially in an era where tampering has become more conversation than consequence. For Ohio State, that reality has been impossible to ignore, with programs across the country consistently testing the resolve of its roster. When it comes to a generational talent like Jeremiah Smith, the attention is not just expected—it’s relentless.
Smith, widely regarded as the best wide receiver in the country, has once again made it clear where he stands. Despite aggressive efforts from a prominent program—one he strongly implied to be Miami Hurricanes football—following Ohio State’s College Football Playoff loss, there was never any real temptation to leave Columbus. His response to the situation was as direct as it was telling: he expected the push, but he was “not going nowhere.”
For Ohio State fans, that matters. In a time where roster movement can reshape a program overnight, having a cornerstone player not only stay but publicly double down on his commitment speaks volumes about both the culture in Columbus and Smith’s character. It also adds another layer to what is quietly becoming a brewing rivalry narrative with Miami, a program that has now twice been linked to pursuing the Buckeyes’ top weapon.
That same matchup still lingers for another reason—unfinished business. Ohio State’s season-ending loss to Miami wasn’t just a defeat; it was a missed opportunity that continues to resonate inside the program. One moment in particular has stayed with Smith. After a 59-yard connection with quarterback Julian Sayin put the Buckeyes in scoring position, a screen pass intended for Brandon Inniss turned into a turning point. Miami defensive back Keionte Scott jumped the route and returned it 72 yards for a touchdown, swinging momentum in a way Ohio State never recovered from.
While the interception sits next to Sayin’s name statistically, Smith has taken ownership of the play, acknowledging that his missed block allowed Scott a free path to the ball. That level of accountability is rare for a player of his stature, but it’s also exactly what makes him different. Rather than deflecting blame, Smith has embraced the moment as motivation, using it as fuel throughout the offseason.
That mindset has already translated into action. Smith earned Iron Buckeye honors yet again during winter workouts, reinforcing the idea that his dominance isn’t just about talent—it’s about consistency and effort. Even with national recognition, projected top-five NFL Draft status, and a trajectory that could rewrite Ohio State’s record books, complacency has never entered the equation.
New wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton has seen that drive up close, describing Smith as both a “generational talent” and a player who actively seeks coaching and development. That combination—elite ability paired with a relentless work ethic—is what separates great players from program-defining ones.
From an Ohio State perspective, this all sets the stage for something bigger. Smith isn’t just returning for another season; he’s returning with purpose. The sting of last year’s loss, the noise from outside programs, and the expectations that come with being the best at his position have all converged into one final opportunity in scarlet and gray.
And if things break the right way, there’s a chance for a full-circle moment. A shot at redemption. Possibly even against the same Miami program that tried to take him—and failed.
