Because the No. 1 recruit within the nation within the class of 2024, Jeremiah Smith might have chosen to attend any faculty, together with his hometown college, Miami. Smith in the end ended up signing with Ohio State and now the story of his recruitment will come full circle as the Buckeyes sq. off with the Hurricanes within the School Soccer Playoff quarterfinals on Wednesday night time.
Actually, had Miami been in video games of this magnitude two years in the past when Smith was being recruited, he stated Monday that he “most probably” would have been suiting up for the Hurricanes.
“More than likely, yeah. I in all probability would have ended up going to Miami if issues had been heading in the right direction, then and there,” Smith stated. “However I selected to stay with Ohio State.”
Smith’s feedback will doubtless add extra gas to Miami’s proverbial hearth getting into the extremely anticipated matchup within the Cotton Bowl. The Hurricanes, in any case, are going through an Ohio State program that sunk their hopes of a dynasty over 20 years in the past in one of many greatest upsets in faculty soccer historical past, a loss that modified the trajectory of Miami soccer.
From 2003-23, the Hurricanes had simply two seasons with no less than 10 wins. However Miami has loved a current resurgence beneath coach Mario Cristobal. Final 12 months (his third season on the job), Cristobal led Miami to its first 10-win season since 2016 however a late-season loss value the Hurricanes a visit to the CFP. This season, the Hurricanes went 10-2 within the common season and knocked off Texas A&M within the first spherical of the playoff to arrange the showdown with the Buckeyes, the defending nationwide champions.
Ohio State vs. Miami prediction, decide, unfold, odds: Buckeyes, Hurricanes meet in Cotton Bowl CFP quarterfinal
Shehan Jeyarajah
As a freshman, Smith performed a key position in Ohio State changing into the primary crew to win the nationwide title within the 12-team playoff period. Smith was a unanimous All-American, was the Rose Bowl Offensive MVP after catching seven passes for 187 yards and two scores in Ohio State’s 41-21 win over Oregon after which he caught 5 passes for 88 yards and a rating within the Buckeyes’ 34-23 win over Notre Dame within the CFP Nationwide Championship.
Smith, 20, has been simply pretty much as good this season. He led the Large Ten with 80 receptions for 1,086 yards and 11 touchdowns. Smith caught a landing move throughout Ohio State’s 27-9 win over Michigan and had eight receptions for 144 yards in the course of the Buckeyes’ 13-10 loss to Indiana within the Large Ten Championship.
On Thursday night time, Smith will attempt to assist the Buckeyes get one step nearer towards their objective of one other nationwide title whereas Miami followers are left to surprise what might have been had the star vast receiver determined to go well with up for his hometown crew.
