Jeremiah Smith calls Miami Hurricanes team-up 'tempting'

Smith says a flip from Ohio State to Miami would be "tempting" should Cedrick Bailey also make the flip to the Hurricanes

HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA – The Class 1M state championship game may not be the last time Chaminade-Madonna quarterback Cedrick Bailey and five-star receivers Jeremiah Smith and Joshisa Trader are teammates.

After the Lions dispatched Miami Archbishop Carroll, 47-7, on Friday in the Class 1M state semifinals, Smith, already committed to Ohio State, left the door open for the three to remain united in college.

That’s because the University of Miami remains a possible landing spot.

What’s next for Bailey could play a factor. For now, the 6-foot-6 quarterback is committed to North Carolina State.

Things got more interesting recently when Bailey received an offer from Miami.

If Bailey flips to the Hurricanes, it presents an enticing option for Smith to stay close to home as well.

Trader, the speedy receiver, has been committed to Miami for a while.

“It would definitely make it tempting,” Smith said postgame on Friday. “Those are my guys.”

Jeremiah Smith (making a stunning one-handed touchdown grab against Miami Central earlier this year) said a potential flip from Ohio State to Miami would be "tempting" should his teammate and quarterback Cedrick Bailey also make the flip after receiving and offer from the Hurricanes this week. He, Bailey and Joshia Trader, already a Miami commit, have been friends and teammates since they were 11 / Photo by Robson Lopes

Smith and Bailey have been teammates since 11-years-old playing in youth leagues.

Smith, Bailey and Trader are very close friends.

Smith is regarded as the top receiver and perhaps top overall player in the nation, which is why schools like Miami and Florida State have stayed in touch.

It’s worth noting that Smith has stayed firmly committed to Ohio State, even as he’s weighed all his options.

Even on Friday, Ohio State offensive coordinator/receivers coach Brian Hartline was in attendance for Smith’s final high school home game.

Miami is an interesting option for Bailey, largely because the Hurricanes have an unsettled quarterback situation. His comments after receiving the offer seem to indicate he will at least give it some consideration once the state championship game is complete.

“The Miami offer was great,” Bailey said on Friday. “So much has been focused on college. But I’m just gonna focus on next week -- the state game, right now. But when the state game is over, that’s when I’m going to focus on college.”

Long committed to North Carolina State, could Cedrick Bailey continue to sling the rock to high school teammates Joshia Trader and Jeremiah Smith, by flipping to Miami after receiving an offer from the Hurricanes this week / Photo by Robson Lopes

With Friday’s win, Chaminade-Madonna stamped its ticket to the state finals for a Florida record eight straight seasons.

The Lions (13-0) are in line for a three-peat, and for the second straight year, they will take on Clearwater Central Catholic, which beat Jacksonville Trinity Christian Academy, 39-32, in their semifinal game.

Chaminade’s state championship game will be on Thursday at 10 a.m. in Tallahassee.

Along with another state title, Chaminade-Madonna also remains in the mix for a national championship.

On Friday, Bailey threw four touchdown passes, while Smith and Trader each scored two touchdowns. Bailey had scoring catches of 10 and 20 yards, while Smith caught a 15-yard touchdown pass, to go with his 55-yard scoring run.

Through all the hype and high expectations, and constant recruiting speculation, Chaminade-Madonna continues to stay focused on the field. They easily handled business against Archbishop Carroll.

“It doesn’t faze them,” Lions coach Dameon Jones said. “It came from the group before them, and the group before them. It’s kind of the culture right now.”