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Jeremiah Smith has quickly become one of Ohio State’s most reliable playmakers. In two seasons as a starter, the wideout has topped 1,000 receiving yards each year and helped the Buckeyes reach consecutive College Football Playoffs. Fans hungry for context want to know where he came from and how he rose so fast.
From South Florida neighborhoods to Buckeye fame: hometown and family ties
Smith was born on Nov. 29, 2005, in Miami Gardens, Florida. He grew up a short drive from Hard Rock Stadium and played his high school ball in nearby Hollywood.
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Football runs in the family. Smith is related to NFL quarterback Geno Smith, a connection that ties him to South Florida’s strong football lineage.
Chaminade-Madonna: the program that shaped him
Smith attended Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory in Hollywood, a private Marianist school known for football success.
The program captured multiple state crowns while Smith was a student, and the school has produced several NFL players and coaches.
- Notable alumni include kicker Andres Borregales and receiver Marquise Brown.
- The program emphasizes speed, technique, and championship experience.
Smith was a multi-sport standout. He won state titles in hurdles and used that track speed on the football field.
High school numbers that turned heads
Smith posted eye-catching totals across three seasons at Chaminade-Madonna. He earned All-America recognition in his senior year.
| Year | Grade | Games | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Yards per Catch | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | Senior | 14 | 90 | 1,389 | 15.4 | 19 |
| 2022–23 | Junior | 14 | 63 | 1,098 | 17.4 | 20 |
| 2021–22 | Sophomore | 7 | 26 | 556 | 21.4 | 6 |
| Totals | 35 | 179 | 3,043 | 17.0 | 45 |
Sources reporting these figures include MaxPreps and high school stat aggregators. His consistency and big-play rate were clear from year one.
Recruiting buzz and college choice: why Ohio State won out
Smith entered the college market as one of the nation’s elite prospects. Recruiting services ranked him among the top recruits nationally for the 2024 class.
Per recruiting sites like 247Sports, he was a top overall prospect and the highest-rated receiver from Florida in his class.
- He collected offers from programs across the Power Five.
- Big-name suitors included Texas, LSU, Oregon, Alabama, Miami and Georgia.
- Smith publicly committed to Ohio State in December 2022 and signed in December 2023.
What made scouts excited: traits and on-field profile
Coaches praised Smith for his blend of speed, body control, and ball skills. His track background translated into explosive separation on routes.
Scouts noted his ability to win contested catches and stretch defenses vertically. Those skills fit well in Ohio State’s passing attack.
How high school track success mattered
Smith won state crowns in both the 110- and 400-meter hurdles as a junior. That track resume highlighted his straight-line speed and conditioning.
Hurdling success hinted at his burst and competitive drive, traits that showed up on the football field during key moments.
