DAVIE — Jeremiah Smith’s plan when he got to Ohio State was work hard and see what happens.
“The thought process with us was pretty much get in, get your feet wet, whatever playing time you get, do what you got to do,” Smith’s father, Chris Smith, told the Sun Sentinel. “I guess he had his own mindset, so he went there and did what he needed to do to get him a spot.”
Smith did not just earn a spot on a talented Buckeyes roster. He established himself as a starter, a star and arguably the best player in college football entering his sophomore year.
“It’s been surreal,” Chris Smith said. “You know, the expectation was high, but I knew he could be able to go do what he needed to do. So it’s a surreal moment, but also it’s a grinding moment, too.”
Smith’s success feels almost preordained. He was always among the most talented players in his age group, his seven-on-seven coach, South Florida Express founder Brett Goetz, said.
“Everybody kept talking about this JJ Smith kid,” Goetz said. “I think we were in Houston. … But I finally got to see him, and he was as advertised. He was great. And watching him kind of go up our ladder of seven-on-seven teams, age-wise, and he’s every bit what everybody says.”
Smith starred everywhere he played in South Florida. At Chaminade-Madonna, he racked up 3,043 receiving yards and 45 touchdown catches from his sophomore season through his senior year. He was the Sun Sentinel Broward County small schools offensive player of the year as a senior.
When it came time to pick a college, Smith — who was listed as the top high school player in the nation — stuck with his long-time Ohio State commitment over a push from hometown Miami.
The decision paid off. Smith racked up 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns as a freshman, helping lead the Buckeyes to…
Source link : https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/06/28/how-broward-county-star-jeremiah-smith-has-adjusted-to-stardom/
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Publish date : 2025-06-28 16:41:00
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