This is one outlet's own report from Yahoo Sports — the article as it was filed.
AIPROPX ReportYahoo Sports · 1h ago
Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith reveals his first 'big purchase' from NIL
Like an employee's first paycheck after college, there's always a notable 'big' or 'significant' purchase made. Well, for college athletes, those paychecks are happening during their college years and those purchases are happening well before graduation. And for Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith , he used his NIL to make a notable purchase... just not in the way others have.
“I think I bought my grandma’s house,” Smith said in an interview with Complex Sports . “I bought my grandma’s house from her. Yeah, I bought this last year… I was 19 (years old)."
Smith entered his college career as one of the most 'can't miss' prospects in years and he's not just lived up to the hype, he's exceeded it. The multi-time All-American helped lead Ohio State to a National Championship as a freshman and is one of the most decorated receivers through two years in NCAA history.
According to On3's NIL Valuation , the Ohio State wideout carries with him a $5 million valuation -- the fourth-highest in college sports. A combination of brand deals and endorsements have helped him, in addition to what Ohio State and its own NIL department helped put together. But, it was also reported earlier this spring that Smith turned down nearly $10 million in NIL deals to enter the portal, and instead stay at Ohio State.
Smith, who is widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft, enters his likely final year of college at Ohio State and will certainly be in play for more national awards. Already on Monday he was named the preseason Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.
When it comes to NFL money, first round selections in this year's NFL Draft were slotted to make at least $3 million at the backend of the first round, and upwards of $10.5 million as the top selection.
With Smith expected to go near the top of the draft, his $5 million 'paycheck' will nearly double.
But, that doesn't mean he's going to go crazy spending that money.
“I think I’m gonna save it,” Smith said about his first NFL paycheck . “There’s no reason for me to spend it. I was blessed to come in the NIL era, spend whatever endorsements I get once I get to the NFL.”
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith reveals his first 'big purchase' from NIL
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.
