Jeremiah Smith sat quietly in the locker room, the clang of metal lockers and the bustle of his teammates slowly fading into the background. His mind raced, but not from the rush of his team’s thrilling CFP win over Michigan. No, his thoughts were centered on something else entirely: the matchup he had been circling for weeks.
Tennessee’s star cornerback, Jalen Brooks, had been a topic of conversation ever since Smith had publicly hyped up the potential showdown. Both players had been on fire this season, and as Smith left the field with his teammates, he knew the time for talk was over. It was time for action.
Smith had watched Brooks’ game film over and over in preparation for this moment. He’d seen the way the Tennessee cornerback tracked wide receivers like a hawk, how he could lock onto a target and shut down entire passing games with a single play. But there was something Smith couldn’t ignore. He saw weaknesses. Tiny gaps in Brooks’ game that could be exploited. And the CFP victory had only solidified his confidence.
“I’ve got one more game in me,” Smith thought, his eyes narrowing as he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. The electric intensity that had filled his veins in the final seconds of the Michigan game now simmered into a quiet determination.
A press conference was scheduled for later in the evening, and Smith knew the questions would come pouring in. He wasn’t wrong. As he walked into the room, the lights blazed down on him, and reporters crowded around him like moths to a flame. The first question, naturally, was about the Tennessee matchup.
“Jeremiah, you’ve been vocal about your anticipation for facing Jalen Brooks in the championship. After today’s win, how are you feeling about that showdown?”
Smith leaned into the microphone, exhaling slowly. “I’m feeling good. I respect Jalen’s game. He’s a great player, but I know what I can do. When you put in the work, you start to realize where the opportunities lie. I’ve studied him. And I’m ready for whatever he brings.”
A murmur rippled through the crowd, but Smith wasn’t finished. He leaned forward, his gaze sharpening. “Look, I’m not here to trash anyone. But I’ve been hyping this matchup because I know it’s going to be a test of wills. Two great players, both at the top of their game. But in the end, it’s about execution. And I’m all about making plays when it counts.”
The reporters scribbled down notes, their cameras clicking. Smith could sense the energy in the room shift. His words carried weight, but it was the fire in his eyes that sold it. His confidence was palpable, not arrogance, but belief.
Smith’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, seeing a message from his coach: Don’t let the noise get to you. Focus on the game, not the hype.
He smiled faintly. His coach was right. The buzz, the headlines, and all the buildup weren’t important. What mattered was what happened on the field when the lights were brightest.
After the press conference, Smith headed back to the locker room, his mind refocusing. The matchup with Brooks wasn’t just about proving he was the best receiver; it was about proving to himself that he could rise to the challenge, that his preparation and hype weren’t just words—they were a blueprint for greatness.
As he began to dress for the next day’s practice, he ran his fingers over the edge of his helmet, a reminder of the challenge ahead. Jalen Brooks might be talented, but Jeremiah Smith wasn’t just a wide receiver. He was a competitor, a force of nature waiting to be unleashed in the national spotlight.
And when they met, when their paths collided, Smith would be ready to show why the hype was real.
