Home / Sports / Ohio State Star Jeremiah Smith Inks Surprise Adidas Deal
Ohio State Star Jeremiah Smith Inks Surprise Adidas Deal
29 Aug
Summary
- Freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith signs with Adidas
- Deal comes despite Ohio State's long-standing Nike partnership
- Smith to appear in Adidas campaigns alongside top female athlete

Just over a year after bursting onto the college football scene, Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith has made a surprising move by signing an NIL deal with Adidas. This is particularly noteworthy as the Buckeyes are one of Nike's premier college programs.
According to the announcement, Smith "will represent the three stripes in a variety of brand marketing campaigns, including in an upcoming campaign alongside one of the best young female athletes in the nation." Adidas' vice president of sports marketing praised the freshman wide receiver as "the face of the next generation of elite football players."
While Smith will be featured in Adidas promotions, he will continue to wear Nike products during Ohio State practices and photoshoots, similar to other athletes who have maintained their school's brand affiliation. In addition to the Adidas deal, Smith has also secured NIL partnerships with Nintendo and Red Bull.
The decision to partner with Adidas, a direct competitor of Ohio State's longtime sponsor Nike, is a bold move by the rising star. It underscores Smith's growing influence and marketability, even as a freshman, and could signal a shift in the college sports endorsement landscape.