Chaminade 5-star receiver Jeremiah Smith wins Nat Moore Trophy as college decision looms
If there’s something Chaminade-Madonna wide receiver Jeremiah Smith loves to do almost as much as play football, it’s play chess.
As of late Tuesday night, there was plenty of suspense about what Smith’s next move will be as he waits to decide Wednesday afternoon which college he will be signing with as the early signing period begins.
“I have to go home and be on the phone with coaches,” Smith said. “But I just have to pray on it and pray that God will lead me in the right direction.”
Smith, an Ohio State commit, has left plenty of room for speculation as to whether he will indeed become a Buckeye or change course and sign with another school - possibly the University of Miami.
There was no mystery on Tuesday, however, as to who was the best player in South Florida, the state of Florida and perhaps the nation.
Smith, a five-star prospect, was named the winner of the fifth annual CBS Miami Nat Moore Trophy at a ceremony at Hard Rock Stadium.
Smith was selected from a group of four finalists that also included his Chaminade teammate, wide receiver and UM commit Joshisa “Jojo” Trader, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas running back and UM commit Jordan Lyle and Miami Central athlete and Florida State commit Lawayne McCoy.
Earlier in the day, Smith was named MaxPreps’ Florida state Player of the Year. He was the second consecutive recipient of the award from a South Florida school, joining Miami Central alum Rueben Bain, now a freshman defensive lineman at the University of Miami.
“This ranks pretty high and I put a lot of work in this year,” Smith said. “The Nat Moore Trophy is a big award for my legacy and people will remember this for sure.”
Smith is rated the No. 1 recruit nationally (regardless of position) by 247sports and Rivals. He is also rated the No. 2 recruit by On3, and the No. 7 recruit by ESPN. 247Sports, On3 and Rivals all rank Smith as the nation’s No. 1 wide receiver.
Smith finished his senior season with 90 catches for 1,389 yards and 19 touchdowns. His efforts led Chaminade to its third consecutive state championship - their sixth in the past seven seasons - and a No. 2 national ranking.
Smith capped a stellar career with a 13-catch, 183-yard performance in the Lions’ 56-0 win over Clearwater Central Catholic.
For Smith, a cousin of former Miramar High star and current Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, sharing the honor on Tuesday with his family and longtime teammate, Trader, made the honor even more special.
“Me and Jojo have been working together since we were 11 years old,” Smith said. “We’re off to college now and then we have bigger plans to get to the NFL.”
