5-Star Recruit Jeremiah Smith Reveals What Sealed His Commitment With Ohio State

Smith said Ohio State's history of producing first-round NFL receivers and their value on developing a "brotherhood" led to his decision on Wednesday.

Five-star receiver Jeremiah Smith signed his national letter of intent during early signing day on Wednesday, officially making him a member of the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Smith was the top-ranked recruit not only in his home state of Florida, but in the entire country for the class of 2024.

Smith had been committed to the Buckeyes for almost a year, but a tempting offer from the Miami Hurricanes made Wednesday's announcement more dramatic. Following his signing with Ohio State, Smith sat down with Rivals recruiting analyst John Garcia Jr. to shed more light on his choice.

"It came down to a close call between Miami and Ohio State," Smith said. "But you know I just go with my gut feeling, just go who's developing receivers into first-rounders so that's who I went with."

Following his announcement, Smith reportedly told The Athletic's Manny Navarro that he made his pick between the Buckeyes and Hurricanes "in the final two minutes." Smith said the element of Ohio State that put them over the edge for him was their commitment to their players in all aspects of their lives.

"The way they care about their players on and off the field," Smith said. "They're one of the best for their players. It's a family up there in Ohio. Thanksgiving, you know, they'll have their players come over and eat with them, stuff like that. So, I mean, it's definitely a brotherhood up there in Columbus for sure."

Smith is one of four five-star recruits whom signed national letters of intent to Ohio State on Wednesday. Others whom will join Smith in Columbus include cornerback Aaron Scott Jr., receiver Mylan Graham and edge Eddrick Houston.