Ohio State coach Ryan Day expressed relief about the situation at his signing day press conference, but was later informed by a staff member the school had not received Smith's NLI, according to 247Sports. Buckeyes fans then endured several hours of discomfort before the team broke the silence with a social media announcement late Wednesday night. 

Smith is the first receiver ever ranked as the No. 1 player in the 247Sports recruiting rankings. He first committed to Ohio State in December 2022. Miami, Florida and Florida State were all eager suitors in the battle for Smith's services. Miami, in particular, garnered some late buzz as National Signing Day approached. 

Noland is one of four five-star quarterbacks in the 2024 class, per 247Sports' rankings. He was pursued by the likes of Alabama, Miami, Texas A&M, Clemson, Arkansas and more.

However, the Buckeyes won the Noland sweepstakes, He admitted the decision was close before he visited Columbus.

 

IG: airnoland_ Provided by Buckeyes Now on FanNation

"It was close 'til I had to visit Ohio State," Noland told ESPN "They stuck out, just kind of left everybody in the road from a development standpoint, from a comfortability standpoint, from an institution standpoint, and just the connection with the coaching staff standpoint, so Ohio State kind of shot through the roof."

As a junior in the 2022 season, he passed for 4,095 yards and a whopping 55 touchdowns to just four interceptions and adding six rushing touchdowns en route to a state championship.

Related: Smith-Njigba Credits Ohio State After Game-Winning TD vs. Eagles

This past season, he went 149 of 224 passing for 2,140 yards, 22 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

"The team, it's a brotherhood," Noland said. "Outside of football, they're a brotherhood, and the connection that I have with Coach Day, Coach Dennis and Coach [Brian] Hartline, it speaks for itself. I felt like it was home. My family felt like it was home when I visited Ohio State."

@texasag1969 said:

WSU has Wash tied up at the moment, so who knows.

ah no shit.i quit watching games for awhile

@syd said:

i wouldnt quite jump to that assumption yet there tex . A lot of chaos could go down. still some football left

WSU has Wash tied up at the moment, so who knows.

@texasag1969 said:

Well out goes OSU and in comes FSU with a win over Florida tonight or possibly Oregon who romped all over Oregon St.

i wouldnt quite jump to that assumption yet there tex . A lot of chaos could go down. still some football left

@syd said:

the only poll that counts comes out tommorow. They have em at #1

Or the ones  after   the  OSU  at  um game !   GO BUCKEYES !

@diehardbrownsfan1 said:

Number 3 in the polls I saw.

the only poll that counts comes out tommorow. They have em at #1

@mjp28 said:

Just curious syd,  which poll was that ?  I briefly saw something but didn't see it again.

CFP and I just found out The Bucks are playing in eugene oct.12th

@syd said:

georgia ichigan and fla.st follow

Just curious syd,  which poll was that ?  I briefly saw something but didn't see it again.