Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith met President Donald Trump for the first time on Monday at the White House. And if Buckeyes coach Ryan Day is right about the breakout freshman, it won’t be the last White House visit for the 19-year-old Florida native.
‘I shouldn’t say this, but the coach [Day] was giving Jeremiah some major praise backstage,’ Trump told guests on the South Lawn, where the national champions were feted by White House staff.
‘I said, ”What’s the future?” and they said, ”We have a guy, he may be the best ever,”’ he added, referring to Smith.
The imposing 6-foot-3, 215-pound NFL prospect then shook hands with Trump, who appeared almost small by comparison despite a recent physical listing his own height at 6-foot-3.
But while Smith seemed to be enjoying himself, later sharing images of the moment on social media, some Buckeyes fans were displeased to see the team’s biggest star happily fraternizing with Trump.
‘Jeremiah,’ one woman began, ‘I am a die hard (sic) buckeye but this ain’t it bruh this aint a good look.’
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes the 2025 College Football National Champions from Ohio State University to the White House during a ceremony on the south lawn
Jeremiah Smith #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes speaks to the media during the Ohio State Buckeyes media day at the Georgia World Congress Center prior to the national title game
Smith was clearly proud of the moment and reposted a screengrab of the handshake on X with a ‘shaking hands’ emoji.
But despite his excitement about meeting the sitting President, Smith was nonetheless criticized by some members of Buckeye nation.
‘Yall should have just declined the invitation now i have lost all respect for yall,’ one fan wrote in response to Smith’s post.
‘Definitely wouldn’t be proud of meeting him,’ another chimed in. ‘Now Obama that would’ve been different.’
‘That man called for the death penalty of young black men like yourself for a crime they didn’t commit,’ one critic remarked, potentially referring to the famed ‘Central Park 5’ who were belatedly exonerated over Trump’s objections after a serial rapist confessed to the brutal 1989 murder of Trisha Meili. ‘Do better.’
But many, many more Ohio State supporters were excited for Smith to meet the President, regardless of politics.
‘Love it,’ one supporter wrote on X. ‘Congrats! Excited and grateful to see you in scarlet and gray a bit more before you take the NFL by storm!’
Despite Jeremiah Smith’s excitement about meeting the sitting President, the Buckeyes star was nonetheless criticized by some members of Ohio State’s massive fan base
Trump speaks with Jeremiah Smith looking on over the President’s left shoulder
Fans thought Jeremiah Smuth seemed taller than Trump, although both are listed at 6-foot-3
‘What a great moment!’ another added. ‘Thank you for staying at Ohio State. The way things are these days, that is huge. We appreciate you and all your hardwork (sic).’
‘Congratulations,’ read one of many similar responses. ‘Well deserved!’
Smith finished his freshman season with an impressive 76 receptions for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns.
However, with departure of quarterback Will Howard to the NFL Draft, Smith and his fellow Buckeyes receivers will be catching passes from any number of signal callers: Julian Sayin, Lincoln Kienhol, or Tavien St. Clair.
The highlight (or lowlight) of Monday’s White House visit proved to be Vice President and Ohio State alum JD Vance fumbling the Buckeyes’ national championship trophy.
Vance later poked fun of himself online, writing: ‘I didn’t want anyone after Ohio State to get the trophy so I decided to break it.’
