‘I Want to Leave’: Ohio State’s 5-Star Recruit Jeremiah Smith Shocks Fans, Flips to Texas Longhorns – The 3 Reasons Will Blow Your Mind!

‘I Want to Leave’: Ohio State’s 5-Star Recruit Jeremiah Smith Shocks Fans, Flips to Texas Longhorns – The 3 Reasons Will Blow Your Mind!

In a move that has sent shockwaves across the college football world, five-star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, previously considered the crown gem of Ohio State’s 2024 recruiting class, has formally decommitted from the Buckeyes and flipped his commitment to the Texas Longhorns.

The news, delivered over social media with a simple yet dramatic caption—“I want to leave”—has left fans, observers, and even fellow recruits astonished. For months, Smith had been the face of Ohio State’s future, a generational talent anticipated to dominate in Columbus. Now, in a dramatic twist, he’s coming to Austin. But why? What could possible cause.

First and foremost, the importance of Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian cannot be emphasized. Sarkisian, recognized for his offensive genius and ability to create exceptional receivers, made Smith his top objective the moment he entered the transfer portal. Sources close to the issue say that Sarkisian didn’t simply sell Smith on playing time or scheme fit—he sold him on legacy.

The Longhorns’ recent revival, along with Sarkisian’s track record of sending receivers to the NFL (including recent first-round picks), resonated emotionally with Smith. Ohio State, of course, has a famous history of producing NFL-caliber wideouts, but Sarkisian’s pitch was different: immediate impact in an offense tailor-made.

The second reason for Smith’s flip is one that few saw coming: NIL opportunities. While Ohio State’s NIL collective is among the strongest in the nation, Texas’s financial backing is on another level. Austin’s business-friendly environment, combined with the Longhorns’ massive alumni network, presented Smith with endorsement deals and branding opportunities that were simply too lucrative to ignore. Rumors suggest that Texas boosters, eager to capitalize on the program’s return to national prominence, played a major role in securing commitments from top-tier talent like Smith. While NIL wasn’t the sole factor in his decision, insiders confirm that the financial package offered to him was “unmatched” by any other school, including Ohio State. In today’s college football landscape, where money talks louder than ever, this was a game-changer.

But perhaps the most surprising reason of all is personal. Behind the scenes, Smith’s family played a pivotal role in his choice. Multiple sources indicate that his parents, particularly his mother, preferred Texas due to its proximity to home (Smith is originally from Florida, but has relatives in the South) and the program’s emphasis on family culture. Ohio State, while prestigious, is geographically farther from his support system, and after months of deliberation, the pull of being closer to loved ones weighed heavily on him. Additionally, Texas’s recent success in creating a “home away from home” atmosphere for out-of-state recruits sealed the deal. Current Longhorns players reportedly reached out to Smith, assuring him that Austin would feel like family—a sentiment that resonated deeply during his official visit.

The repercussions from Smith’s decision has been swift. Ohio State fans, once praising his commitment as a program-defining moment, are now grappling with incredulity. Social media has erupted with comments ranging from grief to indignation, with some Buckeye supporters accusing Texas of “buying” recruits.

Meanwhile, Longhorns supporters are pleased, citing Smith’s shift as a sign that Texas is genuinely back among college football’s top. Analysts, too, are weighing in, with many calling this one of the most dramatic recruiting flips in recent memory.