Florida and Florida State reportedly still trying to flip elite Ohio State WR commit

Jeremiah Smith is the real deal. Even future NBA Hall of Famer LeBron James is hyping up the five-star Ohio State wide receiver commit from Opa Locka, Florida (Chaminade-Madonna Prep).

Smith has been committed to Ryan Day's Ohio State squad since last December, but that hasn't stopped several other programs from trying to flip his commitment.

There are two in-state programs specifically that are trying to keep Smith in Florida. According to comments made by On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons, Florida and Florida State are still trying to stay in the mix with the five-star.

To that point, Smith has taken visits to Florida and FSU this fall, and he has an official visit scheduled with the Seminoles in early December.

"I think really he’s taking the professional approach and just listening,” Simmons said (h/t On3). “Just kind of taking everything in, every pitch from every coaching staff. Soaking in, I think, the game day environments. Kind of picturing himself — whether it be at Florida, Florida State, wherever he’s at that weekend. Just seeing maybe how he could fit in, potentially, at that program.

“Yes, I mean when you’re a five-star kid, a Five-Star Plus+ receiver like Jeremiah Smith, you definitely can benefit from the perks of being at that status. But for me, I think he’s truly just soaking it in and making sure he’s making the right decision for him and his family.”

One has to imagine that Ohio State's recent history of producing elite receivers will keep Smith committed. We've seen Marvin Harrison Jr. play like a Heisman candidate this season and the Buckeyes have sent stars such as Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave into the NFL over the past few seasons.

Receivers coach Brian Hartline deserves much of the credit for what OSU has been able to do at the position.

“Ohio State just has to keep being Ohio State,” Simmons explained, talking about how the Buckeyes can hold on to Smith. “Obviously, a tough loss to Michigan for the third year in a row over the weekend. But Ohio State, he chose them because of one thing — wide receiver production. He wants to be ‘that guy’. He wants to be wide receiver (No.) 1 in the NFL Draft in the next three or four years, and I think that’s why he trusts Brian Hartline the most and Ohio State to develop him and get him to that level. Yes, he wants to go play great competition, win championships, compete for conference and national titles for sure. But his ultimate goal, like most in this recruiting class, is to be NFL someday. Playing on Sundays. And I think he chose Ohio State for that reason and their player development."

Boasting 40 offers to his name, Smith is the consensus No. 1 overall recruit in the 2024 class.