Fame in college football usually builds over time. For Jeremiah Smith, it hit all at once, and it hit hard. At just 20, the Ohio State Buckeyes star is not just controlling defences; he is dealing with a level of attention most players do not face until the NFL.
And now, one small but telling detail about his daily life is going viral. It is not about touchdowns or records. It is about something way more basic – and honestly, which is a little wild.
Jeremiah Smith Says Fame Has Gotten So Big He Can’t Even Use His Real Name
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) runs during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026. © Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Speaking on March 20, 2026 during media interactions covered by team sources and national outlets, Smith revealed just how much his life has changed off the field. The sophomore sensation admitted that even ordering food has become complicated due to his growing celebrity status.
“I can’t go nowhere, I gotta get everything delivered… right now it’s ANTONIO.”
🚨🚨THIS IS AWFUL🚨🚨
20-year-old Jeremiah Smith says he can NOT order DoorDash under his real name because of how famous he is.
“I can’t go nowhere, I gotta get everything delivered… right now it’s ANTONIO”
Smith is only 20 years old.
(@IAMATHLETEpod)pic.twitter.com/j5C8iT7DsU
— MLFootball (@MLFootball) March 20, 2026
That one line says everything. Smith is not just avoiding crowds – he is actively hiding his identity for something as routine as a DoorDash order. At just 20.
And this is not an isolated adjustment. Smith described his day-to-day life as “hectic”, noting that stepping outside often means getting swarmed for photos, autographs, or just recognition. The result is that he has turned into a self-described homebody, choosing to stay in, play video games, and keep a low profile whenever possible.
To manage it all, he has even adopted simple disguises like hoodies, hats, and beanies – anything to move around without being instantly recognised. It is the kind of lifestyle you expect from established pros, not a college player still years away from the draft.
However, here is the flip side. Smith is not complaining. He called the attention a blessing. And he is staying locked in on what matters the most – football.
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On the field, the hype is justified. Smith’s production has been ridiculous from day one. As a freshman in 2024, he shattered programme records with over 1,300 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. He followed that up in 2025 with another best season, earning unanimous All-American honours and securing himself as a top Heisman contender.
Now heading into the 2026 season, he is within striking distance of multiple school records: receptions, yards, and touchdowns. And with his current track, he is widely projected as a future top pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Yet, the real story here is not just stats. It is the speed of his rise. Most players grow into fame. Smith got thrown into it overnight.
And that is why this moment hits. Behind the highlights and headlines, there’s a 20-year-old just trying to order food without being recognised. Different levels of stardom. Different kinds of pressure.