Why Are Ohio State Fans Demanding Answers from Nike Right Now?

So, here we go — Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State’s rising sophomore wideout, absolutely knocking it out of the park as a true freshman, leading the Buckeyes all the way to the College Football Playoff national championship. Everyone expected Smith to be a hot commodity for years to come, right? Yet, this week dropped a curveball: despite Ohio State’s multi-million dollar Nike deal, Smith inks an endorsement with Adidas. You have to ask — how on earth does Nike let a superstar-in-the-making, rocking their gear on game day, slip right through their fingers and into the “Three Stripes” fold off the field? It’s a head-scratcher that has fans buzzing, debating whether this was a massive fumble by Nike or just smart business from Adidas swooping in where others hesitated. It’s the kind of move that makes you wonder who’s really calling the plays behind the scenes in college sports endorsements these days. Buckle up — this story’s just heating up as Ohio State gears up for the 2025 season opener against Texas. LEARN MORE

Ohio State football fans have one question for Nike in the wake of the Jeremiah Smith news.

Smith, a rising sophomore, is poised to be one of the best players in the country in 2025. The All-American wide receiver had a standout season as a true freshman, helping lead the Buckeyes to the College Football Playoff national championship. Smith has at least two years of college football remaining.

This week, Smith announced some big news. He’s signed an endorsement deal with Adidas.

Smith took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share the cool news.

“Three Stripes for life,” he wrote on X.

It’s a big-time endorsement deal for Smith. However, it begs the question – where is Nike?

Ohio State, of course, is a Nike school – one of the biggest, in fact. The Buckeyes football players wear Nike jerseys, pants, socks, cleats, warmup gear, etc.

Why didn’t Nike shell out an endorsement deal for Smith, instead of letting Adidas scoop him up?

Ohio State fans are confused.

“Nike really let Adidas sign Jeremiah Smith even though they have a deal with Ohio State Athletics this is an all-time fumble by Nike,” one fan wrote.

“I’m sure Adidas offered a lot but for Nike not to match or exceed it is very surprising,” one fan added.

“When Nike does this. They do it because of liability reasons. If they see you as an unreliable investment/or if they feel they can’t find a long term structure for the investment. They will not green light it. Adidas & Reebok will snatch it up. They deal better in short term or high risk investments,” one fan added.

“He has to wear Nike in college and has to wear Nike in the NFL. He’s free promo. Nike is more of a Basketball company tho. That’s where the real money at,” one fan added.

Nike really let Adidas sign Jeremiah Smith even though they have a deal with Ohio State Athletics this is an all-time fumble by Nike. pic.twitter.com/Kh6KVWIUHe

— The Scarlet and Gray Podcast (@TheSG_Podcast) July 2, 2025

Smith will be rocking Nike on the field in 2025, but off of it, expect to see him in a lot of adidas.

Ohio State opens the 2025 college football season on Saturday, Aug. 30 against Texas.