With just six days until the College Football Playoff National Championship, the Ohio State Buckeyes are preparing to face Notre Dame, and all eyes are on star freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith. Smith, who has had a standout postseason, will be crucial against a formidable Fighting Irish defense.
Smith was dominant in Ohio State’s playoff wins over No. 9 Tennessee and No. 1 Oregon, recording six catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns against Tennessee, and seven catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns against Oregon. However, in the Cotton Bowl against Texas, Smith had an uncharacteristically quiet game, with just one catch for three yards. As the Buckeyes gear up to face Notre Dame, ranked second in the NCAA in scoring defense and ninth in total defense, Smith’s performance will be key.
To safeguard his future, Smith recently took out a $20 million permanent total disability (PTD) insurance policy, a historic move for a freshman. This policy is designed to protect him against potential career-ending injuries, both on and off the field. According to CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd, this policy is the largest ever for a freshman and matches the largest for any college football player. Previous athletes to take out such policies include Bryce Young and Will Anderson during their draft years at Alabama in 2023.
Smith’s policy, taken out by his family before the College Football Playoff, will remain active until August 1, 2027, or until he signs an NFL contract, whichever comes first. The premiums for this policy are estimated to be between $7,500 and $8,000 per $1 million in coverage, costing Smith approximately $15,000 in premiums.
Currently, Smith holds the 10th-highest NIL valuation in college athletics at $3.7 million, according to On3’s NIL rankings, making him the top-valued college wide receiver and the seventh-highest among all college football players. As Smith prepares for the biggest game of his young career, his performance could solidify his standing as a future NFL star.
