Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith shuts down former Notre Dame running back with a two-word message on social media
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith hasn’t played a down of college football yet, but the freshman phenom is already proving he’s more than ready for the spotlight—on and off the field. Over the weekend, Smith made headlines by shutting down a former Notre Dame player with a cold, two-word response that quickly set social media ablaze.
It all started with a post from former Notre Dame running back C.J. Prosise, who took to X (formerly Twitter) to stir the pot about Ohio State’s recent recruiting wins and the hype surrounding its incoming freshmen. Prosise, now a retired NFL player, questioned whether the Buckeyes’ highly touted newcomers could live up to the massive expectations being placed on them.
“All that hype, but can they produce?” Prosise wrote in a now-deleted post, seemingly taking aim at Ohio State’s No. 1 ranked 2024 recruiting class—and perhaps more specifically, at Jeremiah Smith, the crown jewel of that group.
Smith, who was rated the No. 1 overall prospect in the country by multiple recruiting services, didn’t let the comment slide. Instead of firing off a lengthy rebuttal or diving into a war of words, the Florida native kept it simple and direct.
“Watch me,” Smith posted, quoting Prosise’s message.
That was all it took. The two-word clapback instantly went viral, drawing praise from Ohio State fans, fellow recruits, and even some former Buckeye greats. It was the kind of confident, unbothered response that not only shut down the criticism but also cemented Smith’s status as a player who doesn’t flinch under pressure.
While social media beefs between former players and current recruits aren’t uncommon, this one hit a nerve. Prosise hasn’t responded since, and many are interpreting Smith’s response as a sign of maturity—and quiet intensity—that will serve him well in Columbus.
Smith enrolled early at Ohio State this past spring and already turned heads during offseason workouts. According to team insiders, he’s looked every bit the part of a future first-round NFL draft pick. At 6-foot-3 with elite speed, route running, and hands, Smith is expected to make an immediate impact for the Buckeyes this fall, especially with veteran wideouts like Emeka Egbuka returning and helping to mentor the new crop of talent.
Ohio State fans are already buzzing about the potential of the 2024 offense under new quarterback Will Howard, and Smith is expected to play a major role in that resurgence. His response to Prosise only fuels the narrative that the Buckeyes have something special in the works—and that Smith is more than ready to lead the charge.
In an era where social media interactions can sometimes spiral out of control, Smith’s brief but powerful message stood out. It wasn’t trash talk for the sake of attention; it was a reminder that the best way to respond to doubt is by showing, not telling.
