Family, community, and a desire to be great define Jeremiah Smith’s rise to stardom. In Parkland, Florida, the evening crowd at Starbucks begins to dwindle as Rod Mack, a former linebacker from Miami, scrolls through his phone, searching for cherished memories of a football team that shaped a generation. While savoring his strawberry acai lemonade—his “guilty pleasure”—Mack finally finds the video he seeks: a cinematic entrance captured by a notable YouTube channel that broadcast the Miami Gardens Ravens live for the first time on August 3, 2019. He hits play and turns the screen toward his guest.
As the last hints of pink fade from a darkening sky filled with clouds, a line of players winds its way through the parking lot towards the stadium at Monsignor Edward Pace High School in Miami Gardens, Florida. There, a cacophony of noise and a packed stadium await, along with an opponent from California.
“Yoooooo!” a coach calls out. “Yoooooo!” the players respond in unison.
“Whose house is this? … Our house!”
“Whose house is this? … Our house!”
“Daaawwwwg check! … Woof!”
“Daaawwwwg check! … Woof!”
“Check! Check! Check! … Woof! Woof! Woof!”
At this moment, as the team turns to approach the gates, the music blaring from the facility’s speakers becomes clearer. The slow and unmistakable buildup of “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins welcomes the Ravens as they leap into action, quickly drowned out by the cheers and applause from the crowd.
“We would go to national tournaments, and I’m telling you,” said Mack, the Ravens’ head coach and a close family friend of the Smiths, “you would see him like Tiger Woods walking to the green. All the kids would come and want his autograph. It was just wild to see from a young age.”
Jeremiah Smith on the Miami Gardens Ravens. (Photo courtesy of Rod Mack)
For Smith, a near-mythical status was crafted in a football-loving community that celebrated his youth career. This recognition intensified when he became the No. 1 overall player in the 247Sports Composite rankings on October 12, 2023, during a senior season that culminated in a state championship with Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School in Hollywood, Florida. By the time college football’s early signing period arrived two months later, talent evaluators were describing the 6-foot-3, 215-pound Smith as a “generational” talent. The excitement surrounding his potential impact on whichever school secured him was palpable. Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, known for recruiting top-tier wide receivers, even pretended to faint during a news conference when he learned Smith would honor his verbal commitment to the Buckeyes.
Despite the overwhelming attention, praise, and lucrative offers directed at Smith, he remains unfazed, a testament to the nurturing environment that shaped him. His upbringing, marked by extensive media coverage and unwavering family support, has fortified his resolve. The values instilled in him have fostered a humble demeanor and an extraordinary work ethic, which have driven him to a record-breaking first season at Ohio State—52 catches for 899 yards and nine touchdowns, surpassing the freshman records set by ex-Buckeye Chris Carter in 1984. As Smith gears up for a highly anticipated debut in one of college football’s fiercest rivalries—No. 2 Ohio State vs. Michigan—it’s evident he would be a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft if underclassmen could declare.
“The players who perform at the highest level consistently over time are the best of all time,” said Brian Hartline, co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach at Ohio State. “That’s what he’s aiming for.”
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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The restaurant where Jeremiah Smith’s father, Chris, chose to meet earlier this month is just a short distance from Hard Rock Stadium, home to the Miami Hurricanes and Miami Dolphins. This location is fitting, given how close Jeremiah came to changing his commitment on the day he signed with Ohio State last December. The allure of playing alongside childhood friends almost outweighed the Buckeyes’ impressive track record of producing four first-round picks at wide receiver in recent years. Lorna’s Caribbean & American Grille is also where the Smiths frequently dined with college coaches during recruiting visits, including Brian Hartline.
Punctuality is paramount in the Smith household. Chris, who runs both a moving company and a commercial and residential cleaning business, arrives early after a morning workout. He is pleased when a reporter arrives promptly at 12:30 p.m., a reflection of the importance he places on timeliness.
Chris Smith, 44, grew up in South Florida with strong Bahamian roots. His uncle, John Daniel Smith, better known as Danny Smith, was a national champion and three-time All-American hurdler at Florida State, representing the Bahamas in the Olympics. Another uncle, William Horatio Butler Jr., known as Yama Bahama, had a professional boxing record of 77-14-3 and even sparred with Muhammad Ali. The Smith family enjoys dining at Lorna’s for its classic Bahamian dishes, including the conch salad that Chris eagerly orders.
“I have always been a nurturing person,” Chris said. “My kids have made me a better father.”
Chris considers all four of his children “my best friends,” but he feels a unique bond with his three sons due to his own upbringing. He refers to these relationships as “man bonds,” which have been strengthened by their shared love of sports. Chris enjoyed playing basketball and football with neighborhood kids in Miami Gardens. His wife, Newberry, who works at the post office, ran track in middle and high school but often defers to Chris regarding Jeremiah’s football journey. She maintains a close relationship with Jeremiah, speaking with him daily, and both parents attend his games at Ohio State.
Jeremiah’s football journey began at age 3 when he accompanied his older brother to practices at the park. He and Chris would spend hours playing catch along the sidelines, eventually leading to Chris signing him up for little league the following year. Along with football, Jeremiah explored basketball, track, flag football, and chess. Chris often wishes he had introduced his son to tennis. When not engaged in sports, Jeremiah would spend time at church with his grandmother or play with toy animals his father bought in bulk from Target, favoring dinosaurs, wolves, elephants, and sharks.
“He just wanted the best for me and my little brother,” Jeremiah said. “He kept us busy to ensure we stayed on the right path.”
Importantly, Jeremiah’s involvement in football was never forced. Before each season, Chris would check in with his son to see if he was still enjoying the sport. He emphasized that Jeremiah could not quit a team mid-season, wanting him to understand the importance of commitment. Jeremiah’s passion for football only intensified, and even getting cut from the Miami Gardens Vikings at age 7 did not deter him; it motivated him to work harder.
“He always had a serious demeanor,” said Geno Smith III. “Even as a young child, he was determined and focused. We couldn’t get him to smile. He always knew what he wanted to be from an early age. My grandma tells me that we both had clarity about our life goals since we were young.”
They both wanted to play football.
Joshisa Trader (left) and Jeremiah Smith (right). (Photo courtesy of Rod Mack)
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MIRAMAR, Fla. — The night everything changed for the Miami Gardens Ravens began with a touchdown pass to Jeremiah Smith, the lanky pre-teen whose oversized helmet and number 00 jersey made him stand out. He skillfully beat an undersized cornerback off the line and caught a deep pass down the left sideline, breaking a tackle on his way to the end zone. An air horn blared as a man in a bright orange shirt and camouflage hat jumped in celebration, marking the moment Jeremiah announced himself to South Florida and beyond.
“I told you they couldn’t stop me!” Jeremiah, just 11 years old, exclaimed into a nearby camera, his prepubescent voice underscoring the moment. The outcome was undeniable: by defeating the Miami Gardens Chiefs 34-0, Jeremiah and his team had dethroned the reigning champions of local youth football.
“That night was surprising,” said Darrell Streeter, founder of Footballville, a popular YouTube channel chronicling grassroots football. “It caught everyone off guard, but they quickly became the talk of the town.”
Pictured left to right: Jose Leon, Lawayne McCoy, Reggie Wayne, Tarell Short Jr., Jeremiah Smith, Chance Robinson. (Photo courtesy of Rod Mack)
The Ravens functioned as an extended family, with parents hosting social events and transporting kids from field to field, workout to workout. The team practiced five nights a week, not only for better competition but also to shield players from the harsher realities of life in South Florida. Mack has a video on his phone of the coaching staff urging players to lie face down on the grass as gunfire erupts near Walt Frazier Park.
“Most kids our age don’t grow up with both parents,” Jeremiah said. “Having a father figure who teaches us right from wrong is significant and instills discipline.”
That’s why a group of dads promised to take their kids out to eat if they completed hill runs at Vista View Park every Saturday. They also enrolled the boys with a respected wide receiver coach every Sunday and kept the Ravens together for tackle football in the fall, flag football in the winter, and encouraged track participation in the spring. They enjoyed watching their kids practice famous catches or play “walking football” in parking lots, knowing these activities were far better than being on the streets.
Jeremiah’s ability to excel in various environments reminded Mack of his time at Miami, where the Hurricanes had several future Pro Football Hall of Famers. There was something unique about how those players worked, and he recognized a similar mindset in Jeremiah. This mindset explained why Jeremiah outperformed hard-working teammates and outpaced those who participated in the Junior Olympics.
“He aims to be the best ever,” Mack said. “He has pursued that goal for a long time. It’s like worrying about Kobe [Bryant] or Michael [Jordan] burning out.”
“No, he’s wired differently.”
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PLANTATION, Fla. — Behind the glass doors of a multipurpose building is Mario L. Perez’s law office. Perez also serves as the offensive coordinator at West Broward High School in Pembroke Pines, Florida. His office displays three state championship plaques from his time at nearby American Heritage and a laminated practice script from the morning’s installation. A large television screen behind his desk loops practice film in preparation for an upcoming opening-round state tournament game.
Perez was the head coach at Monsignor Pace in Miami Gardens when Jeremiah transitioned from little league football to high school. For years, Perez had heard tales of Jeremiah’s impressive route running, body control, and speed. However, having coached future NFL Draft picks, he questioned whether South Florida’s latest star would meet expectations.
“Sometimes the hype doesn’t match reality,” Perez noted. “But with Jeremiah, reality exceeded the hype.”
From the moment Jeremiah entered high school, his unparalleled work ethic, which Mack had always touted, made him a cornerstone for the rebuilding program. Perez likened Jeremiah’s attitude to that of a “coal miner,” reflecting his consistent, hard-working nature. A shoulder injury that sidelined him for much of the season did not stop him from attending every practice and team meeting.
Jeremiah Smith at Chaminade-Madonna Prep. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
“All the effort he put in matched his size,” Streeter said. “He became a force, faster and stronger than anyone else.”
Jeremiah’s growing fame prompted Chaminade-Madonna’s head coach, Dameon Jones, to consider hiring a police officer for protection during the latter part of the 2023 season, especially as the team advanced in the state tournament. Fans of all ages, including adults, formed lines near the team’s buses for post-game autographs. One fan even flew in from Ohio just to see Jeremiah play. A child who received Jeremiah’s receiving gloves was overwhelmed with joy. On multiple occasions, Jones had to step in to rescue his star from reporters, as Jeremiah was too polite to end interviews when the team needed to depart.
“It was pandemonium,” Jones remarked. “Now I understand how rock bands feel. He was the main attraction everywhere we went.”
Eventually, news of Jeremiah reached former Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, a Columbus, Ohio, native. Quinn, now a college football analyst for FOX Sports, decided to take a short drive to watch Jeremiah play.
What he witnessed was reminiscent of only one experience: watching LeBron James dominate a high school basketball game at Ohio State’s Schottenstein Center nearly 20 years ago.
“It was just like that,” Quinn recalled. “Seeing a kid at that level be so dominant.”
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HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — Hours after having two wisdom teeth removed, Dameon Jones shares the story of Jeremiah Smith’s last day at Chaminade-Madonna while sitting in a black leather chair behind his desk in an office connected to the football locker room. The office showcases three state championship footballs and six championship rings, while the walls display jerseys worn by some of his most talented players. He plans to hang one of Jeremiah’s jerseys soon.
Chaminade-Madonna Prep football coach Dameon Jones. (Photo courtesy of Michael Cohen)
Throughout most of Jeremiah’s time at Chaminade-Madonna, his classmates respected his space. Everyone recognized his talent in football and track, given the frequent national television coverage of his recruitment, but Jeremiah’s quiet and introverted nature kept others at bay.
However, on his final day at school, everything changed.
“Everyone knew it was his last day,” Jones said. “Suddenly, he was swarmed by kids asking for autographs. It was wild because they usually didn’t approach him. He signed everything.”
The pressure of high-stakes recruitment had eased by then, as Jeremiah had navigated two moments of uncertainty before officially committing to the Buckeyes. Months earlier, he had considered flipping to Florida State, a school closer to home with familiar faces. Chris Smith noted that it was the first time he saw Jeremiah “rattled” by the pressure to commit to an in-state school that his wife preferred. Eventually, that emotional swell subsided.
However, doubts about Jeremiah’s commitment resurfaced as the early signing period approached. Aggressive calls from coaches at FSU, Miami, and Florida raised concerns on December 21, 2023, just hours before his signing ceremony. During those final hours, Chris said Jeremiah nearly flipped to Miami, the school he and his former teammates had always dreamed of attending. Last-minute phone calls flew between Jeremiah, Chris, his brother, his uncle, and various people at Ohio State, including star receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., the No. 4 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Everyone reassured Jeremiah that Ohio State was where he belonged, a place that could nurture his exceptional talent and shape him into an all-time great. This reassurance was the final push he needed before signing his letter of intent. Ultimately, Jeremiah honored his father’s teachings by finishing what he started.
“I’m just thrilled to see people recognizing him,” Rod Mack said. “It’s amazing to finally have the country see what we’ve been waiting for him to achieve.”
“He’s been a special talent for a very long time.”
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