Who is Jeremiah Smith? Meet Ohio State's prized 2024 recruit next in Buckeyes' line of WR blue-chips

The top recruit for the Class of 2024 made things officially official when he inked with Ohio State on Wednesday with the Early Signing Period in full swing.

Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, the cousin of Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, was highly sought-after by all of the nation's powerhouse programs after he finished out his high school career at Chaminade-Madonna Prep in South Florida with more than 3,000 receiving yards.

He ended his senior season with 88 receptions for 1,376 yards, an integral part of an offensive performance that played a large role in the team's 14-0 record. 

Here's everything to know about Smith's decision and Ohio State's history at wideout.

LIVE: Follow the latest recruiting updates from 2024 early signing day

Why did Jeremiah Smith commit to Ohio State?

There was no guessing whatsoever as to why the No. 1 overall recruit for the current class decided to make his pledge to the Buckeyes. Ohio State is a prestigious program in its own right that needs little explanation. But the fact Smith did not mince any words when addressing the subject of why he chose to commit made that even more clear. 

Smith said he had two hats in his bag ahead of him formally announcing his pledge on CBS Sports HQ -- one for Ohio State and one for Miami.

He decided between the pair in the last two minutes and said he chose the Buckeyes because he wanted to go to a place with a strong track record of first-round picks. That was the ultimate difference.

Miami has been tied to multiple notable players both in terms of high school recruits and in the transfer portal, but Ohio State has the edge where sustained success at the highest level of competition is concerned.

Florida State and Florida were also heavily in the mix.

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That's not to say Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day didn't break a bit of a sweat, though, with his reaction described as the "visual definition of relief."

Smith will join a stacked wide receiver room at OSU that includes Ohio State three of the top-10 receivers from the 2023 class that the Buckeyes signed in Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss and Noah Rogers.

Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka are expected to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft, but the Buckeyes will still have a bolstered group with this crop.

Ryan Day's in-time reaction when he found out Jeremiah Smith was signing with Ohio State.

This is the visual definition of RELIEF.@nbc4i pic.twitter.com/0b5PFikxpT

— Jerod Smalley (@JerodNBC4) December 20, 2023

History of Ohio State wide receivers

There's some debate as to which program can truly be called "WRU" but the Buckeyes undoubtedly have some evidence to stake their claim to the title.

Here's a look at some of Ohio State's best wide receivers over recent years.