Hurricanes in the mix for local 5-star WR Smith
HOLLYWOOD — Chaminade-Madonna has sent more than its share of players to Division I teams, including several to the Hurricanes. The Hollywood powerhouse’s coach, Dameon Jones, has seen many of South Florida’s extremely talented players go on to success.
Where does 2024 wide receiver Jeremiah Smith rank among those greats?
“I feel like he’s the best,” Jones said. “That’s my opinion . ... I’m glad he’s on my team.”
The Miami coaching staff ’s task is trying to get Smith to join current UM players like Te’Cory Couch and Thad Franklin in the Chaminade-to-Coral-Gables pipeline.
“I’ll stay home to play football, play college football,” Smith said. “It really doesn’t matter. I’ll go wherever I play. It’s just who’s going to come at me harder and stuff like that.”
Smith, who is rated a fivestar prospect and the No. 3 player in the 2024 class by 247Sports’ composite ranking, is a prime recruiting target for the Hurricanes. He visited Miami in January and April and said he saw “everything I want to see.”
“I’ve been to the practice,” Smith said. “I’ve seen how the receivers coach guided the receivers. I’ve seen the defense. I’ve seen the offense they’ve got to run, so I really don’t need to see anything else. I’m happy with the way they’re running the offense.”
Smith said he’s building a strong relationship with the Hurricanes’ new coaching staff, talking with head coach Mario Cristobal, offensive coordinator Josh Gattis and off-field analyst Demarcus Van Dyke.
“They just text me every day, checking with me how I’m doing in school, family, football-wise, track-wise,” Smith said. “They really just care about me. I didn’t really get that from the old coaching staff.”
Smith played in seven games for the state-champion Lions last year after transferring from Miami Gardens Monsignor Pace. He racked up 556 receiving yards and led the team with six touchdowns on 26 catches.
The Chaminade star said he’s looking for a school with strong academics where he can get on the field quickly. Despite not even starting his junior year of high school yet, he holds offers from 29 teams, including Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Ohio State and USC.
“Academics, early playing time as a freshman ... get developed, that’s really it. Just play,” Smith said. “That’s all I really want to do is play and (get) some playtime as a freshmanandgetdevelopedfroma good position coach and learn from the head coach.”
Smith said his recruitment has picked up in the past few months and he’s heard from many of the nation’s top teams. He said he would likely make a college choice in the offseason before his senior year next season.
Whichever team ultimately secures Smith’s signature will be getting not just a talented wide receiver but a player Jones praised for being a diligent player.
“He works his tail off,” Jones said. “He’s a hard worker. But the main thing is he’s a humble kid. I think humble kids that work their butts off make it.”