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The unpredictable nature of recruiting often leads to surprising postscripts, as demonstrated by Ohio State standout Jeremiah Smith. The All-American receiver from South Florida admitted Wednesday that his childhood aspirations were centered on Alabama, not the Buckeyes.
“Growing up, my dream school was Alabama when Nick Saban was there,” Smith told reporters in Chicago, per On3. “But they wasn’t recruiting me.”
Despite being the top overall recruit in the 2024 class, Smith’s recruitment by Alabama was limited. He took an unofficial visit to Tuscaloosa on Jan. 15, 2022, and received a scholarship offer a few weeks later, but by Dec. 14, 2022, he had committed to Ohio State. Reports at the time did not list Alabama among his final contenders.
Smith went on to star for Ohio State’s 2024 national championship team as a freshman, earning unanimous All-American honors. Through two college seasons, he has amassed 163 receptions for 2,558 yards and 27 touchdowns, playing alongside former Alabama enrollee Julian Sayin. In a stacked 2027 NFL draft class, Smith is projected as a potential top pick, possibly even No. 1 overall.
Key Analysis
Alabama has historically dominated South Florida recruiting, particularly at wide receiver, with stars like Amari Cooper, Calvin Ridley, and Jerry Jeudy. The Crimson Tide also signed Xavier Williams from Smith’s alma mater, Chaminade-Madonna Prep, in 2018. In the 2024 class, Alabama landed the No. 3 receiver, Ryan Coleman-Williams, along with Amari Jefferson (later transferred to Tennessee) and Rico Scott. Smith’s revelation underscores how even elite prospects can slip through the cracks in the competitive recruiting landscape.