Alabama Did Recruit Jeremiah Smith, Despite Star’s Claims to the Contrary

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith recently told reporters at Big Ten Media Days that Alabama was his childhood dream destination but that the Crimson Tide never pursued him as a recruit. The statement has drawn skepticism from observers who closely track college football recruitment, particularly given Smith’s elite status entering the recruiting process.

Smith was not merely a highly touted prospect—he ranked as the consensus top player in the 2024 recruiting class from the start. Power 4 programs began extending offers to the South Florida standout in February 2021, when he was entering his freshman year of high school, demonstrating immediate and widespread interest from major college programs.

Alabama and head coach Nick Saban extended an offer to Smith in February 2022, less than a month after the prospect took an unofficial visit to Tuscaloosa. This documented recruitment activity directly contradicts Smith’s assertion that the program made no effort to pursue him.

Skeptics also point to Alabama’s 2024 recruiting class, which ranked second nationally and included multiple four-star prospects from Florida. The recruiting success suggests Saban’s program remained actively engaged in high-level talent acquisition during the cycle in question.

While Alabama almost certainly pursued Smith, the degree of commitment may have differed from other programs competing for his signature. The Crimson Tide also signed five-star wide receiver Ryan Williams that same class, potentially limiting their resources for competing with Ohio State and other finalists for Smith’s commitment.

Smith’s characterization may reflect his perception rather than reality, a common dynamic in modern college football where highly sought recruits hold significant leverage and their preferences heavily influence recruitment intensity from major programs.