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Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith launches NIL commercial with KeyBank

Stephen Samraby: Steve Samra09/22/25SamraSource
Jeremiah Smith
(Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Jeremiah Smith is a rising star in college football. He’s been one of the top players for the over the past year and change in the sport, and he’s becoming one of the more visible now, as well.

As the Ohio State wide receiver’s NIL deals continue to pile up, he launches a commercial with KeyBank. The regional bank headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio couldn’t be happier to partner with Smith. Check out the commercial below.

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The commercial comes shortly after a deal between Smith and KeyBank was announced. According to a press release, the collaboration is one that marks a strategic move by KeyBank to “deepen engagement across communities in its home state of Ohio and connect with younger audiences through shared values of education, empowerment and community impact.”

“The collaboration will launch a new social-first campaign, ‘The KeyBank Financial Playbook,’ designed to empower individuals with financial knowledge through engaging, football-themed content,” the press release added.” The initiative combines Smith’s athletic achievements with KeyBank’s commitment to financial wellness, creating a unique platform to reach younger audiences and sports fans across Ohio and beyond.”

KeyBank certainly picked an awesome athlete to launch their campaign with. The Ohio-based bank was smart to hitch their wagon to Smith, as he seems like as much of a sure-thing in college football as there could be.

“Jeremiah Smith is more than a football phenom, he’s a role model for young people, a passionate advocate for education and believes in the power of community and collaboration,” said Patty Jurca, KeyBank Chief Brand Officer, via press release. “His commitment to using his platform for good aligns perfectly with KeyBank’s purpose: to help our clients, our colleagues and our communities thrive.”

Moreover, the partnership also includes KeyBank holding the exclusive rights to Smith’s name, image and likeness in the banking category. The support of KeyBank’s charitable initiatives will be included, as well.

“Partnering with KeyBank is an opportunity to make a real impact off the field. As a student-athlete, I see firsthand how important financial literacy is for young people and families,” added Smith. “KeyBank has long been a leader in the financial services industry and a pillar in the state of Ohio. Together, we’re working to provide resources and education that strengthen our communities here and beyond.”

Smith and Ohio State are currently defending their title from 2024, and looking to go back-to-back in 2025. Whether or not they can achieve their goal remains to be seen, but the future is brighter than ever for the Buckeyes star moving forward.