LeBron James 'can't wait' to see No. 1 overall recruit Jeremiah Smith in 'Scarlet & Gray'
NBA legend LeBron James took to social media Monday to talk about the top prospect in the 2024 recruiting cycle — Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna Prep Five-Star Plus+ wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.
Smith is committed to Ohio State, having pledged to the Buckeyes last December. James, an Akron, Ohio native, said he, “Can’t wait to see him in Scarlet & Gray.”
Smith is the nation’s No. 1 prospect in the 2024 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking — a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons wrote that the door is cracked for other teams to try to break into Smith’s recruitment, but that the connection with Columbus remains strong.
Smith currently has an On3 NIL Valuation of $487,000. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.
Jeremiah Smith Scouting Summary
On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power writes this about Smith as a prospect:
“One of the more talented and well-rounded receiver prospects in recent cycles. The highest-rated wide receiver prospect from Florida in well over a decade. A big, skilled receiver with fluidity and savvy for the position. Measured in at 6-foot-3 and around 200 pounds with a 32.5-inch arm prior to his senior season. Had a breakout junior season, catching 58 passes for 1,073 yards and 20 touchdowns while leading Chaminade-Madonna to a state title. A very polished route-runner at this stage with rare ability to change directions at his size. Smooth mover with technical refinement that allows for separation. Regularly stacks cornerbacks off the line.
“Pairs his route-running ability with advanced ball skills. Has strong hands and comes down with catches in traffic. A high-level ball tracker with the ability to locate the football over his shoulder. Capable of making fantastic one-handed grabs. Also flashes ability after the catch. Has the size to run through contact and a long stride to pull away in the open field. Also a strong track athlete winning state titles in the 110-meter and 400-meter hurdles as a junior. An extremely well-rounded prospect with a high floor and ceiling. Looks like a prototypical X wide receiver prospect with considerable traits and skills that point to an upside as a high draft pick.”