Overview
- Smith, speaking during spring practice Saturday, said an unnamed program pushed "very hard" to get him to enter the transfer portal after Ohio State’s quarterfinal loss to Miami.
- He told reporters he never considered leaving and confirmed he is staying in Columbus, saying, "I was always going to be at Ohio State."
- Reporters widely link the unnamed suitor to Miami based on his South Florida roots and his father saying he was "this close" to flipping on Dec. 31, though Smith declined to name the team.
- The All-American is coming off 87 catches for 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns and holds a reported $4.2 million NIL valuation, with projections placing him as a top-10 pick in the 2027 NFL draft.
- Coaching changes, including receivers coach Brian Hartline leaving for USF, fueled speculation, yet Smith’s return helps keep Ohio State’s receiver group stable heading into 2026.