It seems like Ohio State star receiver Jeremiah Smith makes headlines with his quotes whenever he is a part of media opportunities. He's soft-spoken but as honest as the day is long. Last year, he waxed poetically about his hate for Michigan, and this year he dished on his love for staying in Columbus, but also dropped a bit of a bomb on everyone as to where he could have ended up instead of OSU.
While in a breakout interview session with the media on Wednesday, Smith said that his dream school wasn't Ohio State, but another national SEC power, Alabama.
“Growing up, my dream school was Alabama. When Nick Saban was there,” Smith said. “They weren’t recruiting me, though, so it is what it is. I always wanted to go to Bama.”
Smith talked about the
pipeline from South Florida to Alabama at the time and said that he was hoping to be the next in line in Tuscaloosa but that his early commitment to Ohio State may have pushed the Crimson Tide and Nick Saban away.
“A lot of guys at that time from South Florida were going to ‘Bama and having success like Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, Calvin Ridley, guys like that,” Smith said. “I got the offer. I think I committed to Ohio State too early. That’s why they stopped. They thought it was no chance.”
Jeremiah Smith said his dream school growing up was #Alabama.
— Conner Smith (@CSmithMedia) July 29, 2026
He also pointed out the success of South Florida receivers to Alabama.
Jerry Jeudy, Amari Cooper, Calvin Ridley, etc. pic.twitter.com/LAAwIxAFhg
Smith would be great wherever he decided to play, but it's hard to argue he didn't make the right choice in going to the banks of the Olentangy. Ohio State has put several guys into the top of the NFL draft at the position over the last few years, and he's almost a lock to be the next one in the 2027 NFL Draft. Smith had one whale of a freshman season and backed it up with another sensational one last season, even while missing a little time because of injury. In his career wearing the scarlet and gray, Smith has totaled 163 receptions for 2,558 yards and 27 touchdowns, chipping in nine carries for 68 yards and two more scores.
Give the man the Biletnikoff already, will ya? Oh, and about the Heisman ...
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith reveals dream school was not OSU
