FIU Freshman Shamir Sterlin Gushes Over Jeremiah Smith’s ‘Easy’ Trait That Makes Him ‘Hardest Competitor’
As Florida Worldwide College gears up for the 2025 faculty soccer season, considered one of its rising stars is already making headlines, this time not for what he’s accomplished, however for who’s left an enduring impression on him. FIU freshman defensive again Shamir Sterlin just lately spoke candidly about essentially the most formidable opponent he’s ever confronted on the gridiron: none apart from Ohio State’s standout broad receiver, Jeremiah Smith.
‘Easy’ Motion Leaves a Lasting Impression on Shamir Sterlin
Smith’s skill to make elite-level performs look routine has captured the eye of followers, analysts, and his hardest defenders. That features Sterlin, who constructed a fame in highschool as considered one of Florida’s most clever and bodily defensive backs.
“Jeremiah Smith,” Sterlin stated with out hesitation. “He strikes throughout the sphere with a kind of grace. Like, when he runs, you would inform it’s simply easy for him on the subject of pinpointing the ball and issues of that nature. Undoubtedly a one-of-one for certain.”
Earlier than enrolling at FIU in 2024, Sterlin starred at Treasure Coast Excessive College, the place he amassed 155 tackles, 93 solo stops, 5 interceptions, and 14 cross breakups over three seasons. He earned First Workforce All-Space honors and was a constant drive on the sphere, identified for his sharp instincts, open-field tackling, and management qualities. He additionally competed in Elite 7-on-7 tournaments with Treasure Coast Elite, sharpening his expertise in opposition to top-tier expertise like Smith.
In his freshman marketing campaign at FIU, Sterlin has already performed in three video games and recorded 9 tackles, together with back-to-back four-tackle performances in opposition to Indiana and Monmouth. Off the sphere, his 5.0 GPA and excessive honors underscore his dedication to excellence in all areas.
Learn Extra: Shamir Sterlin Units the FIU Commonplace With Smiles and Service
The Panthers are coming into a brand new chapter underneath head coach Willie Simmons, who brings a contemporary vitality and tradition shift after three straight 4-8 seasons. With a renewed sense of unity and function, Simmons and his gamers, Sterlin included, are optimistic about bettering in Convention USA.
As FIU prepares to open the season in opposition to Bethune-Cookman, Sterlin is predicted to be a key contributor within the secondary, particularly because the crew seems to clamp down on dynamic offensive threats throughout the convention.
I sat down with Shamir Sterlin as he heads into his sophomore 12 months with the FIU Panthers as an @WeAreAFCA Allstate Good Works Workforce nominee 🙌
In a PFSN unique, we talked neighborhood work, thriving within the classroom, and the affect of recent head coach @HCWillieSimmons… pic.twitter.com/Ru2iNfmnxs
— Oliver Hodgkinson (@hodgkinsonsport) July 20, 2025
In the meantime, Smith continues his meteoric rise at Ohio State. After a record-breaking freshman season the place he totaled 76 catches for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns, Smith shattered Cris Carter’s freshman receiving information. He’s earned All-American honors and is a front-runner for the Heisman Trophy, Biletnikoff Award, and Walter Camp Participant of the Yr.
Sterlin’s admiration solely highlights what many already imagine: Smith’s distinctive mix of dimension, pace, and soccer IQ makes him one of the vital dominant forces in faculty soccer right this moment.
