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Jeremiah Smith breaks Miami hearts again by sharing how close he was to being a Cane

Cam Ward almost did the unthinkable for Miami.
ByBraulio Perez|
Jul 22, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith speaks to the media during the Big Ten NCAA college football media days at Mandalay Bay Resort. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images
Jul 22, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith speaks to the media during the Big Ten NCAA college football media days at Mandalay Bay Resort. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images | Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images

The one that got away. That's how plenty of Miami football fans are still feeling about Jeremiah Smith, who left the area to play for the Ohio State Buckeyes instead. Earlier this offseason, rumors flew that the electric wideout would transfer to Miami, but that didn't happen - nor will it happen in the future.

As it turns out, though, Smith signing with Miami out of high school was more of a toss up than any of us could have imagined. Why speaking to On3's Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman at Big Ten Media days, the speedster revealed that he actually spoke with Miami QB and No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward about potentially flipping from the Buckeyes to the Hurricanes:

Cam Ward nearly got Jeremiah Smith to spurn Ohio State to sign with Miami football

"What went into me taking a long period of time to send my NIL in, it was just paperwork and stuff like that - business side of things," Smith said. "That night I definitely talked to Cam Ward and thought about something."

That something he was thinking about? Signing with Miami. There were countless Ohio State fans who were hitting the panic button when Smith delayed making things official with the Buckeyes, which surely opened the door for Mario Cristobal and Co. to make a move.

In the end, however, the future NFL first-round pick put the pen to paper with the Buckeyes and he played a massive role in Ohio State winning the natty this past campaign. Smith added that he hasn't spoken with Ward since that night he nearly flipped to Miami, with him instead staying loyal to the Buckeyes in the end.

Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Smith is ready to put up even more huge numbers as a sophomore. Last year as a true freshman, he was sensational, posting 76 receptions for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns. Everyone in Miami felt like he was the missing piece to help the Canes not only get to the CFP, but win it all with Ward during his lone season in town. Instead, everyone will keep on wondering what could have been had Miami and Ward changed his mind at the last second.

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