Report: OSU's Jeremiah Smith Has $4.5M+ Transfer Portal Offer After CFP Title Win
January 24, 2025
After spending $20 million to assemble the roster that won the 2025 College Football Playoff Championship, Ohio State might have to cobble up more money to keep the group together for next season.
Per Pete Nakos of On3.com, Buckeyes star Jeremiah Smith has received an offer in excess of $4.5 million to enter the transfer portal after his breakout freshman campaign.
On3 @On3sportsNEW: Ohio State is working to retain its top talent after winning the National Championship...<br><br>Jeremiah Smith has a $4.5M+ offer and Carnell Tate has a $1M+ offer to enter the Transfer Portal, <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteNakos_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PeteNakos_</a> reports.<br><br>Intel: <a href="https://t.co/FYiQsM5iyt">https://t.co/FYiQsM5iyt</a> <a href="https://t.co/CYjzGbY5y1">pic.twitter.com/CYjzGbY5y1</a>
Smith later responded to the NIL reports on social media, agreeing with a fan denying OSU transfer rumors:
On3 Sports has Smith's current NIL valuation at $4 million. The figure went up by $300,000 after Ohio State's victory over Notre Dame on Monday.
Before the start of his freshman season, Smith became the first college athlete to sign an endorsement deal with Red Bull.
There was an incredible amount of hype around Smith as a prospect. He was the No. 1 overall player in the 2024 recruiting class by 247Sports' composite rankings.
After signing with Ohio State in December 2023, Smith touted the program's history of developing receivers who become first-round prospects in the NFL draft.
"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."
Smith more than lived up to the billing during the 2024 season. He finished second in the nation with 15 receiving touchdowns and fourth with 1,315 receiving yards. His 17.3 yards per reception ranked fifth among all FBS players with at least 50 catches.
The best game of Smith's season was in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against Oregon. He had 187 yards and two touchdowns on seven catches.
Even though Smith was quiet for most of the next two playoff games, he stepped up in the biggest moment against Notre Dame with a 56-yard catch on 3rd-and-11 with 2:38 remaining to help seal the win.
Smith's impact, even when he's not being targeted, made a huge difference for Ohio State. It's not a surprise that other programs across the country would like to see what he can do for them if they can entice him away from the Buckeyes with enough money.
