Jeremiah Smith opens up on downside to superstardom, inability to live normal life

Throughout his freshman season at Ohio State, Jeremiah Smith made highlight-reel play after highlight-reel play. That helped him rise to stardom as one of the biggest names in college football, and that level of superstardom landed him on the cover of EA Sports College Football 26.

Just a sophomore, Smith is one of the top returning stars in the sport, and his social media following has skyrocketed. His $4.2 million On3 NIL Valuation also ranks No. 3 in the On3 NIL 100, the first of its kind and defacto NIL ranking of the top 100 high school and college athletes ranked by their On3 NIL Valuation.

However, Smith told CBS’ Adam Zucker he can’t go to Target or the grocery store as a result of the fame. Speaking with reporters Friday, he further opened up on how things have changed over the last year.

"I like to go places and go out shopping and stuff but I know being here I can't really do that"

How big of a star is Jeremiah Smith? He can't really go shopping anymore.

He's just a sophomore but already one of the biggest stars in football: pic.twitter.com/rrJZ9T4G4U

— Adam King (@AdamKing10TV) August 1, 2025

“I’m still young, so I’m still trying to figure it out. It be kind of hard because I like to go places and go out, like Target and shopping and stuff,” Smith said. “But I know, being here, I can’t really do that. … It’s been pretty hard for me because like I said, I like to go out and shop like that.

“I’ve been doing it since I was a little kid. I liked to go out with my parents. Every time they went to the grocery store, I always go. It’s been pretty hard for me to adjust to that kind of stuff.”

Jeremiah Smith: ‘People follow me everywhere I go’

Jeremiah Smith put together a decorated freshman year at Ohio State in 2024 and was a key part of the Buckeyes’ run to a national title. He led the Big Ten with 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns, emerging as the top target for Will Howard in a wide receiver room that included future first-round pick Emeka Egbuka.

Back for Year 2, Smith and Carnell Tate will look to lead a talented group of Buckeye receivers. But as one of the faces of the sport, the former top recruit said he has trouble going out in Columbus. As a result, he has groceries delivered rather than going out to get them himself.

“It’s been pretty cool, winning a national championship,” Smith told CBS in an interview that aired Thursday. “People follow me everywhere I go – Target, can’t really go nowhere in Columbus because everybody knows who I am.

“It’s been pretty hard to adjust to that. I can’t grocery shop or anything. I have to get everything delivered. It’s been crazy.”