When Jeremiah Smith, the nation’s No. 1 wide receiver prospect, signed with the Ohio State Buckeyes on National Signing Day, fans of the scarlet and gray celebrated. But what many didn’t realize was just how close Smith came to making a seismic shift in his recruitment — one that could have seen him stay home and suit up for the Miami Hurricanes.
The Opa Locka, Florida native, who starred at Chaminade-Madonna College Prep, grew up just a short drive from the University of Miami. Throughout his recruitment, the Hurricanes made a consistent push to land him. With a proximity that offered the comfort of home, strong NIL momentum, and a coaching staff eager to make him the face of their offense, Miami was in the thick of the race until the very last moments.
According to On3’s Ari Wasserman, it wasn’t until the final hours that Smith’s decision to choose Ohio State over Miami was solidified. It wasn’t an easy call. Smith, widely regarded as one of the most college-ready wide receivers in recent memory, had real affection for Miami’s program, community, and vision for his future. The Hurricanes had been in pursuit of him for over a year and had never truly fallen out of contention.
What pushed Miami even closer to flipping the five-star wideout? Quarterback Cam Ward’s involvement.
Ward, a high-profile transfer quarterback with an electric play style and proven production, personally reached out to Smith in the days leading up to signing day. His message? Come be part of something special. Come help resurrect “The U.”
Sources close to the program say Ward didn’t just send a message — he made a personal pitch, calling Smith to discuss the opportunity of linking up in Coral Gables. The idea of playing with a seasoned quarterback who could get him the ball immediately and often was an enticing one. Smith reportedly gave the conversation real thought. For Miami fans, it was the kind of bold, last-minute move that could have changed the outlook of the 2024 recruiting class entirely.
And yet, in the end, Smith stuck with his long-time pledge to Ohio State. The Buckeyes’ storied history of developing elite receivers under Brian Hartline — including names like Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Jaxon Smith-Njigba — carried serious weight in Smith’s final calculus. The chance to become the next great Buckeye receiver was too valuable to pass up.
Still, the fact that Miami was even in the conversation until the final hour says a lot about the work Mario Cristobal and his staff have done on the recruiting trail. Despite coming up short, the Hurricanes showed they’re a legitimate player for elite talent — even when battling blue-bloods like Ohio State.
While Jeremiah Smith will now begin his college journey in Columbus, the story of how close Miami came to landing him adds another chapter to the Hurricanes’ ambitious rebuild. With the recruiting momentum they’ve built, the next five-star might not get away.