Using just two words on social media, Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith silences a former Notre Dame running back.
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith didn’t need a long-winded post, viral video, or media blitz to make his point. Just two words. That’s all it took for the nation’s top-ranked freshman wide receiver to put a former Notre Dame running back in his place—and set social media ablaze in the process.
The moment happened late Monday night, when former Irish ball-carrier Cierre Wood—who played at Notre Dame from 2009 to 2012—posted a pointed critique of the current state of Ohio State football. The ex-NFL back, now active on social media as a vocal Notre Dame alum, tweeted:
“All that hype every year. And for what? Soft. Buckeyes fold under pressure. Period.”
Within minutes, fans from both programs flooded the replies. Some dismissed the take as bitter. Others chimed in with receipts. But it wasn’t until Jeremiah Smith himself entered the chat that the narrative completely flipped.
Smith, the No. 1 overall player in the 2024 recruiting class and already a projected starter for the Buckeyes this fall, didn’t rant or respond emotionally. Instead, he dropped a calm, confident two-word reply:
“Watch us.”
That’s it. No hashtags. No gifs. No tagging. Just a direct, quiet retort with enough gravity to reverberate through two of college football’s most passionate fan bases.
A Simple Response with a Big Impact
In the world of college football Twitter—where hot takes fly fast and fans trade barbs daily—it’s easy for a post to get lost in the noise. But Smith’s message was different. The two-word response, paired with his status as one of the most talked-about incoming freshmen in the country, was all it took to command attention.
The quote quickly went viral. Within an hour, “Watch us” was trending in Columbus and South Bend. Screenshots of the tweet spread to Instagram and Reddit, where fans marveled at Smith’s poise.
“Jeremiah Smith just told everyone exactly what we needed to hear,” one Ohio State fan wrote. “No trash talk. Just confidence. That’s what separates dogs from hype.”
Even neutral fans admired the composure. “Imagine being 18 and knowing you don’t need to say much. Just play,” one user posted.
Who Is Cierre Wood, and Why the Shot?
To understand the back-and-forth, context matters. Cierre Wood was a productive college back who rushed for over 2,400 yards during his Notre Dame career, including a 1,100-yard season in 2011. He played under Brian Kelly and was part of the 2012 team that made it to the BCS National Championship Game, only to be steamrolled by Alabama.
In recent years, Wood has become a more vocal presence on social media, especially regarding Notre Dame’s place in the college football hierarchy. Like many Irish alums, he’s grown tired of watching rivals like Ohio State and Michigan dominate national headlines—and occasionally take shots at Notre Dame’s reputation.
His Monday night post wasn’t just about Ohio State’s playoff losses or recent defeats. It was part of a larger frustration brewing among Notre Dame faithful who feel the program doesn’t get enough respect—while others get too much of it.
Still, calling Ohio State “soft” was bold. And doing so on the heels of the Buckeyes landing another top-3 recruiting class—and developing one of the best wide receiver rooms in college football history—felt more like provocation than analysis.
Enter Jeremiah Smith.
Jeremiah Smith: The Future Face of Ohio State?
The buzz surrounding Smith hasn’t slowed down since he committed to Ohio State as the No. 1 player in the 2024 class. Hailing from Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Hollywood, Florida, Smith arrived in Columbus with sky-high expectations and the pedigree to match.
At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, he’s drawn comparisons to Julio Jones and A.J. Green—rare territory for any incoming college freshman. His hands are elite. His route running is already considered pro-caliber. And according to teammates and coaches, his mindset might be his biggest strength of all.
“He walks into a room and just knows he belongs,” said Buckeyes wide receivers coach Brian Hartline during spring ball. “And when he gets on the field, you understand why.”
Smith enrolled early and impressed in spring camp. Multiple reports out of Columbus say he’s already earned first-team reps and could start from day one, even with returning stars like Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate in the mix.
“He’s built different,” one staffer told 247Sports. “He’s not scared of the moment. He embraces it.”
That might explain why his simple “Watch us” tweet carried so much weight. It wasn’t just words. It was a declaration.
Silence, But Make It Loud
What makes Smith’s two-word reply so powerful is what it didn’t say. He didn’t attack Notre Dame. He didn’t belittle Wood. He didn’t even defend Ohio State with stats or trophies. He just laid down a challenge: watch.
It’s the kind of quiet confidence that resonates in elite locker rooms. It says: “We know who we are. And we’re going to show you.”
In some ways, it echoes the culture that Ryan Day has been building in Columbus. After a turbulent few seasons that saw Playoff heartbreak, coaching turnover, and a pair of bitter losses to Michigan, the Buckeyes have doubled down on accountability and internal motivation.
Day has repeatedly said the 2025 team “feels different”—and that players like Jeremiah Smith represent the kind of maturity and hunger the program needs to reclaim national dominance.
Fueling the Fire for September 28
Interestingly, Ohio State and Notre Dame won’t have to wait long to settle the score on the field. The two teams are set to square off in South Bend on September 28 in one of the most anticipated non-conference games of the 2025 season.
Last year’s thriller in South Bend—won by Ohio State on a last-second touchdown—left fans on both sides craving more. This year’s matchup could carry even more weight, especially if both programs are undefeated heading into Week 5.
Smith is expected to play a prominent role in that showdown, and many are already circling the game as his national coming-out party.
“It’s going to be poetic,” one fan posted. “Cierre Wood calls the Buckeyes soft. Smith says ‘Watch us.’ And then goes for 150 and two TDs in South Bend.”
That may be a best-case scenario for Buckeye fans, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility. Smith has the tools. And now, he’s got the motivation.
A Reminder of What College Football Does Best
At the end of the day, Smith’s reply is a perfect example of what makes college football so uniquely powerful. It blends history and hype, pride and rivalry, old heads and rising stars—all into one combustible mixture.
On paper, it’s just a former player venting and a freshman replying. But on a deeper level, it’s about the baton being passed. The old guard throws shade. The new blood responds. The story writes itself—especially when just two words can carry the weight of a thousand.
In today’s digital age, attention is fleeting and social media battles often dissolve into noise. But sometimes, the quietest voice in the room says the most.
Jeremiah Smith didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t clap back. He didn’t curse or joke or even bother to elaborate.
He just said, “Watch us.”
And now, everyone is.
