Jeremiah Smith may be adding three stripes to his off-field wardrobe, but Nike will remain on his feet when the games count.
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— Jeremiah Smith (@Jermiah_Smith1) July 2, 2025
The Ohio State sophomore wide receiver, coming off a breakout freshman season, has signed a name, image and likeness (NIL) agreement with Adidas. However, Smith will continue to wear Nike cleats and gear during all Buckeyes-related activities due to the university's long-term apparel deal with the Swoosh.
In a post on X, Smith declared, "Three Stripes for life," signaling his new partnership. In a news release from Adidas, Smith added: "One of the most memorable moments from last season was losing my black stripe and officially becoming a Buckeye. Fast forward a year and I'm blessed to be adding three, joining the fastest brand in football. It's crazy to be partnering with a brand that has such a talented roster of players and that I've been wearing since I was a young kid. We're not done yet."
A source familiar with the agreement told CBS Sports that Smith's deal with Adidas will cover off-field appearances, marketing campaigns, and personal social media content.
On Saturdays, though, Nike remains the required brand, due to Ohio State's 15-year agreement signed in 2016 to serve as the school's official uniform and footwear sponsor.
Smith isn't the first athlete to juggle personal branding with school apparel obligations. A similar arrangement played out with Hailey Van Lith, who kept her NIL deal with Adidas while transferring from Adidas-sponsored Louisville to Nike-affiliated LSU before finishing her career at TCU.
The top-ranked player in the 2025 recruiting class, Smith lived up to the hype as a true freshman. He caught 76 passes for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns, delivering a signature moment in the national championship game with a 56-yard grab from Will Howard that sealed a win over Notre Dame.
He also torched Tennessee and Oregon for multiple touchdowns during the College Football Playoff, becoming a household name in the process. Now, he's one of the highest-profile athletes to align with Adidas in the NIL space — even if his cleats say otherwise on Saturdays.
