​Everyone knows Ohio State star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is an extraordinary talent and arguably the best player in college football, regardless of what the awards say. It’s also widely understood that, even without official figures published, he likely commands a substantial sum in Name, Image, and Likeness endorsements. So significant is his market that Smith himself publicly claimed another school offered him $10 million to transfer from Ohio State—the school, as many can guess, being Miami. He ultimately declined that offer, but it stands to reason he continues to reap financial benefits on the banks of the Olentangy. In fact, On3 has reported his market value at around $5 million.
One might be surprised by a post suggesting that Smith would be giving up NIL money for the upcoming season, especially when that money could be life-changing. Satire poster Shane Tuttle published such a claim on Monday, stating that Smith isn’t making any NIL money this year and quoting him as saying, “I want to win another National Championship. I figured that money could be used to make our team stronger in other areas.”
Smith didn’t waste time responding to that post, and his reply effectively labeled the claim as nonsense. He offered a straightforward message that underscored a larger point: he’s not about to relinquish NIL earnings, particularly given the extensive future demand he is expected to attract. His response touched on the broader reality that many collegiate athletes can and do secure meaningful compensation through NIL channels, and that public chatter from satire accounts often distorts the facts.
The situation also highlights the ongoing conversation about NIL in college sports, where athletes increasingly leverage their platform to secure endorsements and sponsorships while continuing their athletic careers. It’s a reminder that public perception and the reality of an athlete’s compensation can diverge, especially when social media satire intersects with serious discussion about athlete pay. As with many high-profile players, Smith’s case sits at the nexus of budding monetization, competitive priorities, and the evolving landscape of college athletics’ business side.
For those tracking Ohio State news and NIL developments, this topic remains a point of interest as the program and its players navigate endorsement deals, sponsorship opportunities, and the ever-changing rules and perceptions surrounding name, image, and likeness in college football.
This material originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire, and it covers Jeremiah Smith’s reaction to the claim that he has no NIL money for the upcoming season, framing the discussion in the context of search-optimized coverage. For ongoing Ohio State coverage, follow Buckeyes Wire and its related outlets for updates, notes, and opinion on the team and its standout players.