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Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith appears on limited-edition Red Bull can through NIL deal

ns_headshot_2024-clearby: Nick Schultz3 hours agoNickSchultz_7
Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith for Red Bull
Courtesy of Red Bull

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith continues to make NIL history. This week, he became the first-ever college athlete to appear on a Red Bull can.

Smith, who signed an NIL deal with Red Bull last year, received the limited-edition can on Monday when former NFL star receiver Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson surprised him with the reveal. Cans in 8.4 oz and 12 oz sizes will be available for sale exclusively in Ohio through December or while supplies last, Red Bull said in a press release. Smith has a $4.2 million On3 NIL Valuation.

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The cans feature a one-handed catch to showcase Smith’s athleticism, and a route line pays homage to his 56-yard reception in the national championship game to help seal Ohio State’s victory over Notre Dame. Additionally, the No. 4 on the 8.4-oz can is bolded and in red, recognizing Smith’s jersey number.

“It’s truly a blessing for me to be the first collegiate athlete to grace a can of Red Bull,” Smith said in a statement. “I can’t thank them enough for all the thought that went into the can.”

At $4.2 million, Smith’s On3 NIL Valuation is among the highest in college athletics. He ranks No. 3 in both the college football NIL rankings and 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.

Smith joins an impressive list of athletes to appear on cans of Red Bull over the years. Former Chicago Cubs star Kris Bryant, former NBA All-Star Blake Griffin and soccer sensation Neymar Jr. are among the group.

“I don’t think he realizes just yet how special this is,” Johnson said in a statement. “Understanding where you come from, to where you are now, all the work you’ve put in, it’s all paying off. To grace the can of Red Bull, a global company, it’s a testament to all the work he has put in up to this point. Hell, I’m happy and I’m not even on the can.”

Jeremiah Smith is in the midst of an impressive sophomore season after arriving on the college football scene as a true freshman and No. 1 overall recruit in 2024. Through seven games, he has 49 receptions for 602 yards and seven touchdowns while adding a rushing touchdown, as well.