Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith confesses childhood Alabama dreams under Nick Saban

Ohio State football wide receiver Jeremiah Smith enters a potentially final season with the Buckeyes. He admitted he nearly thought about not attending OSU, though. Confessing his fandom for Alabama during a time Nick Saban led the Crimson Tide dynasty.

Smith made the admission during his Wednesday appearance at Big Ten Conference Media Days.

“Growing up my dream school was Alabama when Nick Saban was there,” Smith said to reporters.

Did the Tide offer him out of Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Florida?

“They wasn’t recruiting me, though,” Smith added. “It is what it is. But, I always wanted to go to ‘Bama growing up.”

Smith, though, was offered by Alabama per 247Sports with former assistant Travaris Robinson becoming the man running point. It’s likely that Smith heard minimal from the Tide after the offer and eventually made his mind up for OSU.

He’s since emerged as the latest breakout perimeter star at a place producing NFL talent out wide. Smith lures 163 career receptions with 2,558 yards and 27 touchdowns in tow this fall.

He earns a chance to become a three-time Big Ten Receiver of the Year winner. The now junior can even make the conference first team for a third straight season as well, establishing himself as the most decorated Buckeyes wideout ever.

But Smith enters 2026 with motivation in tow alongside quarterback Julian Sayin. Smith’s hometown team Miami bounced OSU out of the College Football Playoffs immediately. OSU later watched conference rival Indiana hoist the national title. So now Smith and the Buckeyes want redemption.

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