However, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound pass-catcher ultimately spurned Nike in favor of Adidas, and he revealed the personal reason for his decision while speaking to Manny Navarro of The Athletic.

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has become the latest college star to pass on Nike, signing an NIL (name, image and likeness) deal with rival Adidas instead.

Still, it is a talking point that Nike has a 15-year, $252 million apparell deal with Ohio State that was signed in 2018 and OSU's most notable athlete is going to be rocking Adidas.

Smith is not tied to the Swoosh despite Ohio State's relationship with Nike. "Off the field, Jeremiah will be in Adidas product, along with any brand marketing (spots) and individual social media ...