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Nike had Jeremiah Smith in hand and still lost him to Adidas

Nike is the sponsor for the Ohio State Buckeyes, and they still couldn't close a deal with the star wide receiver; instead, he chose their biggest competitor, Adidas.
ByEricka Brockish|
Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

One of Nike Football's biggest college programs is the Ohio State Buckeyes, who are currently the reigning National Champions and have the best wide receiver in the country, Jeremiah Smith. It seemed all wrapped up that Smith would sign a deal with the Swoosh, but instead, he went to their biggest competitors.

Adidas has announced the signing of Smith is probably one of the funniest NIL deals in college football. Nike is literally the sponsor for the Buckeyes, and they couldn't find a way to sign Smith. In his announcement, Smith talked about his most memorable moment from last season was losing his black stripe and officially becoming a Buckeye, and how he is excited to add three and become a part of the Adidas family.

Smith is set to begin appearing in many different brand marketing campaigns, including one upcoming campaign in which he will feature with one of the best young female athletes in the nation.

Jeremiah Smith has had a very busy offseason since winning a National Championship

The Adidas deal is not the biggest thing to happen to Smith this offseason, as the young sophomore wide receiver was a cover star on the College Football 26 video game alongside fellow sophomore wide receiver Ryan Williams from Alabama.

Smith has one of the best freshman seasons by a wide receiver at Ohio State in a long time, with 1,315 receiving yards on 76 receptions and 15 touchdowns, ending the season with a title. This record-breaking season earned the young star first-team All-American honors and was the Big Ten Conference Richter-Howard Wide Receiver of the Year as well as the Thompson-Randle El Freshman of the Year.

Signing with Adidas means that Smith will join other talented athletes such as NFL stars Patrick Mahomes, Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Garrett Wilson, Chris Jones, Trevor Lawrence, and Michael Penix Jr. Former teammate Emeka Egbuka, who was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, also signed with Adidas.

Future teammates Chris Henry Jr. and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, who have both committed to the Buckeyes, signed a deal with Adidas to join their adizero NIL class. Smith will have lots of Buckeyes around with his new deal. The numbers of the deal have yet to be released.

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