The college football world was set ablaze this offseason by rumors that a rival program made a massive play to lure Jeremiah Smith away from Columbus. Despite Ryan Day’s Ohio State Buckeyes falling short of a national championship, the sophomore wide receiver is not going anywhere.
Jeremiah Smith Opens Up on Transfer Portal Rumors
Smith discussed the push made by a rival program when he spoke with the media Saturday. The rumors gained traction following a bittersweet 2025 season for Ohio State. With star teammate Carnell Tate declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft and several depth-chart pieces entering the transfer portal, rival programs sensed a moment of vulnerability.
Smith said, “I think everyone here knows who it was.”
MORE: Matt Patricia Reaffirms Ryan Day Loyalty After $11.45M Extension As Ohio State ‘Feels Like Home’
Reports suggested an unprecedented NIL package was on the table, aiming to bring the Florida native back to his home state or to the NIL-heavy environment of Los Angeles.
Jeremiah Smith was asked about the offers he may have received this offseason to leave Ohio State. He said there was never a moment he considered leaving, although he wasn’t surprised to see a certain program make a big push.
“I think everyone here knows who it was,” he said. pic.twitter.com/oBCSfgysbv
— Dillon Davis (@DillonDavis56) March 28, 2026
Many analysts viewed the push as a market-resetting move intended to test the limits of player loyalty in the 12-team playoff era.
For Smith, the decision to remain at Ohio State appears rooted in a desire to cement his legacy as the greatest receiver in the program’s history. Having already broken the FBS true freshman receiving record in 2024, Smith is now within striking distance of the all-time Buckeye greats. As a result, he was ranked 5th in the nation, per PFSN’s CFB WR Impact.
Beyond the numbers, Smith’s return is a massive vote of confidence in quarterback Julian Sayin. The duo, who entered the program together as freshmen, developed a connection that is expected to be the engine of the Buckeyes in 2026.
However, some doubts remain. Sayin struggled with turnovers and pressure in the 24-14 Cotton Bowl loss to Miami. Against elite defensive fronts, the Buckeyes’ protection occasionally fractured, stalling an otherwise historic offense.
MORE: Billy Edwards Jr. Emerges As Early UNC QB1 for Bill Belichick’s Offense
To address this, the defensive line has been reinforced with Alabama transfer James Smith, who joins senior leader Kenyatta Jackson Jr. to create a formidable pass-rush duo. The offensive line also returns starters, including Austin Siereveld and Carson Hinzman, but faces significantly more competition from freshmen like Maxwell Riley.
With Smith returning, Ohio State enters the 2026 season not just as a playoff contender, but as the team to beat.
