Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith is Related To An NFL Star

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Jan 10, 2025 5:27 PM ET

Jeremiah Smith and the Ohio State Buckeyes have looked like the best team in the College Football Playoff through two rounds.

They defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 42-17 in the first round before taking out the No. 1 seed Oregon Ducks 41-21 in the Rose Bowl. No,w they will get a chance to reach the national championship as they face the Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl.

The 2024 No. 1 prospect (247Sports) has been one of the best players in all of college football in his true freshman season. Prior to the Texas game, Smith has recorded 70 catches for 1,224 yards and 14 touchdowns, each leading the team.

But Smith isn't the only ballplayer in the family. In fact, he has a family member who plays in the NFL.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith is the cousin of Jeremiah Smith. The two share the same grandfather, Geno Smith I.

The Seahawks star played college ball for the West Virginia Mountaineers before joining the NFL in 2013. Before their football careers, both Smiths grew up in the Miami area, right down the road from each other. Geno Smith played high school ball for Miramar High School, while Jeremiah Smith played for Chaminade-Madonna.

Geno Smith didn't become a force in the NFL until joining the Seahawks in 2019, where he has been named to two Pro Bowls since.

After Jeremiah Smith made his Ohio State debut against the Akron Zips, Geno Smith had high praise for his cousin when speaking to CBS Sports.

"I've seen a lot of great receivers, and I've also had the chance to watch a lot of JJ since he was about 10 years old," Geno Smith said. "He's gonna be the best receiver ever. I really believe that."

Geno Smith went on to describe what it felt like to see his cousin catch his first touchdown with the Buckeyes, a 16-yarder.

"I was in the house, I was watching the whole game," Geno Smith added. "When he caught that first touchdown, man, I jumped right out of my seat. The whole house was going crazy. It was good to see that. I thought he had a heck of a game... You know, great debut. I thought he did great. He was born with the talent, but he's putting the work in, and he's ready right now."

.@Seahawks QB Geno Smith had some HIGH praise for his cousin and @OhioStateFB WR Jeremiah Smith.

“I think he’s gonna be the best WR ever.” pic.twitter.com/fSZpndfPU3
— CBS Sports College Football (@CBSSportsCFB) September 10, 2024

Geno Smith and the Seahawks saw their season end on a high note, defeating the Los Angeles Rams. However, despite a 10-7 record, Seattle was eliminated from the NFL playoffs.

The winner of the Ohio State and Texas game on Friday night will move on to the national championship, where they will face Notre Dame on Monday, Jan. 20.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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