Ohio State star Jeremiah Smith turned down major payday to stay at OSU
· Yahoo Sports
The money was elsewhere, but Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith chose to stay.
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The OSU superstar claims he reportedly (sub required) turned down over $10 million offers to transfer out elsewhere and instead will be focused on developing his skills and winning a College Football Playoff national championship with the Buckeyes. This story adds yet another layer to one of the biggest offseason decisions in all of college football, but one that may ultimately pay off in the long-term.
While no team was specifically named, there were rumors ever since the loss in the college football playoff that the University of Miami would aggressively pursue Jeremiah. Ultimately, Smith stayed put in Columbus, prioritizing legacy, development, and his commitment to Ohio State over a massive short-term payday.
That decision carries obvious risk in the short term, but it could pay off in a bigger way down the road. OSU has built a strong case as WRU, producing a steady stream of receivers who have turned their college success into major NFL contracts.
The most recent example is Jaxon Smith-Njigba, another former Buckeye receiver, who reportedly agreed to a four-year, $168.6 million extension with the Seattle Seahawks that included more than $120 million guaranteed. That deal made him the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history and reinforced the financial ceiling for Ohio State pass catchers at the next level.
NEW: Jeremiah Smith tells @Clowfb he could've made massive money if he entered the transfer portal this offseason:
— On3 (@On3) April 8, 2026
"Over 10 million dollars, easy."
Smith added: "I came to Ohio State for a reason, to win championships, develop as a player and a person and keep building on this… pic.twitter.com/xs1gtLKs0B
Smith-Njigba’s deal followed the same pipeline that also has sent Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Emeka Egbuka into the league as first-round talents. For Smith, the thinking may be that one more year in an Ohio State uniform strengthens his résumé, deepens his brand, and keeps him on the path to the kind of NFL contract that dwarfs even a $10 million college offer.
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith turned down major money to stay a Buckeye