It’s Jeremiah Smith’s world, and we all are just living in it. Just 4 months ago, the guy led Ohio State after producing 1,315 receiving yards and registering his name in OSU’s greats in just his freshman season. The result? Jeremiah Smith not only became one of the most recognizable faces in CFB but also emerged as a rising star across America, as major brands lined up to work with him. So, in came $27.9 billion giant Red Bull with a lucrative NIL deal, and after that? American Eagle Outfitters came with their deal for the freshman prodigy. All of these deals were easy to sign, as Smith did the same. However, after these offers came the biggest and most difficult choice every athlete and player has to make.

Jeremiah Smith became the first college football player ever to sign a deal with the energy drink giant Red Bull. It was a massive achievement also because of the reluctance of the brand to even sign NFL players, as no current NFL player is sponsored by them. Smith casually announced the partnership and wrote, “Off week, got my wiiings” on his IG account. But Red Bull was just a start.

The Ohio State’s star man has also inked an NIL deal with gaming giant Nintendo and Epic Games even before Ohio State against Notre Dame in the national final. The ace wide receiver posted his message and excitement about that, too. “Practice is done, time for some Fortnite on my Nintendo Switch, #EpicPartner #NintendoPartner.” And now? Smith, by showing his star power, has snubbed $107 billion giant, Nike, and chose their rival over them.

Jeremiah Smith was approached by Nike, which already has a $252 million partnership with OSU on an NIL deal. But the young lad turned them down. Instead joined the elite club, which has Patrick Mahomes, Micah Parsons, and Garrett Wilson already. Translation? Jeremiah Smith signed his NIL deal with the $40.19 billion German giant, Adidas. And now, the star wide receiver is proclaiming his loyalty to the sponsor and wrote with a simple 4 word message on his X account. “Three Stripes for life.”

Not just the Adidas deal, Jeremiah Smith has also been selected to be the face of the cover of the College Football 2026 video game by EA Sports alongside Ryan Williams of Alabama. Cherry on top? The wide receiver has earned a whopping 99 rating in the game, something unseen for any player before. Smith calls the feat a “blessing” and describes its importance. “It’s not often you get a chance to see a football player in person with a 99 rating in a video game,” said Smith to the NY Times. However, despite these star-studded deals and unmatched fame, his father is taking all of it with a “grain of salt.”

Jeremiah Smith’s father is skeptical of his son’s CFB fame

Currently, Jeremiah Smith’s NIL valuation reportedly stands at $4.2 million as per On3, standing behind Arch Manning’s $6.8 million and Carson Beck’s $4.3 million. But don’t just go on these valuations, as we have seen athletes earning far more than their projected valuation, exceeding even triple the valuation. And all of this shows with Jeremiah Smith. But his father? Chris Smith accepts the momentous feat by Jeremiah, but proclaims it was just a start.

“He did exceed expectations I had. My expectations were just going to school, getting in when he can, earning his steps as a freshman. I didn’t know he was going to take over. It’s surreal, but we take it with a grain of salt. There’s more football to play. I always tell him never to get big-headed. Just keep working. You can be up top one day and down the next. Stay even keel,” said Chris Smith, Jeremiah’s father.

Of course, the NFL is the ultimate frontier for Smith, and the way he played last season, the selection wouldn’t be too difficult. But still, his father is right. Because in this NIL world, it’s easy for players to get distracted by the glitter of the newfound wealth and fame. But with the guidance of Ryan Day and Brian Hartline, surely that “background noise,” as Jeremiah Smith calls it, will be easier to ignore.