Ohio State coach Ryan Day expressed seen aid after discovering out that No. 1 general recruit Jeremiah Smith formally signed with the Buckeyes after Miami made a late push for the South Floridian. Retaining Smith helps Ohio State lock down a top-five recruiting class and keep atop the Massive Ten.
Day was on the podium for his Nationwide Signing Day 2023 press convention when a staffer gave him a sign that Smith formally made his determination. NBC4’s Jerod Smalley captured video of Day feigning falling to his knees in aid after formally touchdown one of many high receiver commits of all time.
Smith recommitted to the Buckeyes in a ceremony at his Chaminade-Madonna Prep outdoors of Miami. The hometown Hurricanes made flipping Smith a precedence and have been deep in his ear till the ultimate days. Smith informed The Athletic that he introduced hats for each Ohio State and Miami in his bag and solely determined on the final minute that Ohio State was his vacation spot.
The South Florida native ranks among the many most fun large receiver prospects ever. He’s the primary wideout recruit in historical past to rank No. 1 within the Top247after catching 177 passes for 3,116 yards and 46 touchdowns in three years.
“One of many high general prospects to return out of South Florida within the fashionable recruiting period,” 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins wrote of Smith, whereas evaluating him to Julio Jones. “An absolute bully on the catch level that may give defenses matches given the uncommon mixture of his measurement, pace and fingers.”
Holding Smith solely grew to become an even bigger precedence after unhealthy information about Ohio State’s class began dripping out over the past a number of days. Operating again Jordan Lyle flipped to Miami on signing day, whereas blue-chip receiver Jeremiah McClellan picked Oregon. Alabama additionally made a robust run at five-star defensive lineman Eddrick Houston, however he opted to reaffirm his dedication to Ohio State.
Retaining the highest participant within the class buys Day and his workers some much-needed momentum heading right into a pivotal 2024 season. Ohio State’s three beginning receivers — Marvin Harrison Jr., Julian Fleming and Emeka Egbuka — are all anticipated to be gone subsequent season. Smith can be relied on as a right away contributor, whilst Ohio State breaks in a brand new beginning quarterback after dropping Kyle McCord to Syracuse.
