Everyone calls him "JJ." If you’re a Buckeye fan, you probably just call him "him." But if you’re looking for the Jeremiah Smith full name, you won’t find a long string of middle names or a hyphenated legacy. He’s simply Jeremiah Smith. No fluff. No extra titles. Just a kid from Miami Gardens who turned into a national phenomenon before he was old enough to rent a car.
Honestly, the simplicity of his name is kind of a metaphor for his game. He doesn't need flashy nicknames because the production speaks for itself.
It’s crazy to think about, but just a few years ago, he was a 13-year-old on the Miami Gardens Ravens youth team. Back then, people already knew the name Jeremiah Smith. They knew he was special. Now, as we move through 2026, he’s essentially the face of Ohio State football and the consensus top prospect for the next level.
The Origins of Jeremiah Smith
Jeremiah was born on November 29, 2005. He grew up in the football hotbed of South Florida, specifically Miami Gardens. If you know anything about Florida football, you know that area is basically a factory for NFL talent. But Jeremiah’s path wasn’t a straight line to the top.
When he was seven, he actually got cut from the Miami Gardens Ravens. Can you imagine? The kid who just shattered freshman records at Ohio State once wasn't "good enough" for local youth ball. His father, Chris Smith, has often pointed to that moment as the spark. It made Jeremiah take training seriously. It turned a hobby into a mission.
By the time he reached Chaminade-Madonna Prep, he wasn't just another recruit. He was the number one player in the country. Period. Not just the best receiver. The best player.
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Family Ties and the Geno Smith Connection
One of the most frequent questions people ask, aside from the Jeremiah Smith full name, is whether he’s related to the NFL quarterback. The answer is yes. Jeremiah is the cousin of Geno Smith, who currently plays for the Las Vegas Raiders.
The football DNA in that family is staggering. Interestingly, Chip Kelly—who served as the offensive coordinator for Ohio State during Jeremiah’s breakout—was the one who originally recruited Geno to West Virginia years ago. It’s a small world.
Breaking Records in the Scarlet and Gray
The 2024 season was supposed to be a "learning year." Most freshmen, even the five-stars, take a while to adjust to the speed of the Big Ten. Jeremiah didn't get the memo.
He didn't just play; he dominated. He broke every freshman record Cris Carter ever set at Ohio State. Think about that for a second. Carter is a Hall of Famer. One of the greatest to ever do it. And this kid from Miami erased his name from the record books in four months.
- Receptions: 76
- Receiving Yards: 1,315
- Touchdowns: 15
He became the first freshman in Ohio State history to cross the 1,000-yard mark. He also caught at least one touchdown in each of his first seven games. Most veterans can't find that kind of consistency.
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The 2025 Campaign and Beyond
Coming into the 2025 season, the hype was almost unfair. People were talking Heisman. They were talking about him being a top-three NFL pick while he was still a sophomore.
He lived up to it.
By the time the Rose Bowl rolled around in early 2025, Jeremiah was already a household name. In that game against Oregon, he put up 187 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He earned the Offensive MVP. It was the moment he went from "great freshman" to "generational talent."
As of early 2026, he’s still the main attraction in Columbus. Even with the NFL looming, he’s kept his head down. He’s majoring in sport industry and, by all accounts, stays out of the spotlight off the field.
Why Jeremiah Smith Matters for the 2026 NFL Draft
While his full name is simple, his draft stock is complex. Scouts are looking at a 6-foot-3, 225-pound frame that moves like a track star. Because he was also a track standout in high school—winning state titles in the 110m and 400m hurdles—his speed is functional, not just "gym speed."
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He’s often compared to Julio Jones or Marvin Harrison Jr. That’s high praise. But if you watch him play, it’s the body control that stands out. He makes one-handed snatches look routine.
Practical Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you’re following Jeremiah’s career, here are a few things to keep in mind for the coming year.
First, his memorabilia is already hitting peak value. Because he’s likely a top-five lock for the 2027 draft (or whenever he decides to go pro), early Buckeye gear with his name is becoming a collector's staple.
Second, keep an eye on his NIL deals. He’s one of the highest-valued athletes in the country, working with brands like Red Bull. This gives him a level of financial stability that most college players never had, which might influence how long he stays in school.
Lastly, watch his health. Wide receivers with his size and explosiveness are prone to soft-tissue injuries. So far, he’s been remarkably durable, but in the physical Big Ten, that’s always the variable.
Jeremiah Smith isn't just a name on a jersey. He’s a shift in how we view freshman impact. Whether you call him JJ or by the Jeremiah Smith full name, you’re looking at the next great NFL superstar.
To stay ahead of his draft stock and upcoming season totals, you should track his "yards after catch" (YAC) stats specifically. While his deep-ball ability is what makes the highlights, his ability to turn a five-yard slant into a forty-yard gain is what NFL scouts are currently obsessing over. Monitor the weekly box scores for Ohio State to see if his target share increases against top-ranked secondaries, as those are the games that truly define his value.