Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith revealed that he wanted to play under former head coach Nick Saban at Alabama before he landed in with the Buckeyes.
"Growing up, my dream school was Alabama when Nick Saban was there," Smith said, according to On3's Daniel Hager. "They wasn't recruiting me, though. It is what it is. But, I always wanted to go to Bama growing up."
Smith committed to Ohio State in December 2022 as a member of the 2024 recruiting class. He chose the Buckeyes over USC, Georgia, and other top programs. The star wideout wouldn't have had the chance to play under Saban in the end, as the legendary coach announced his retirement in January 2024.
"I mean, I always dreamed about going to Alabama because a lot of guys at that time from South Florida was going to Bama and having success like Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, Calvin Ridley," Smith said. "I think I committed to Ohio State too early and that's why they stopped. They thought there was no chance."
Alabama ultimately secured the top wideout in the class, Ryan Coleman-Williams, who earned first-team All-SEC honors as a freshman. However, after recording 48 receptions for 865 yards and eight touchdowns in his first season with the Crimson Tide, the 19-year-old had a down year in 2025. He finished with just 689 yards and eight scores, and finished 20th in the SEC in receiving yards.
Smith, who confirmed he plans to enter the 2027 NFL Draft, has his sights set on winning his second national title and first Heisman Trophy this upcoming campaign.
"Bringing more hardware back to Ohio State," he said, according to ESPN's Jake Trotter. "That's what the perfect season would look like."
The two-time Big Ten Receiver of the Year is considered the top wideout eligible for the 2027 draft. He's recorded 2,558 yards and 27 touchdowns receiving in 29 career games with the Buckeyes.
