Skull Session: Jeremiah Smith Signs with Adidas, Jason Kelce Says Josh Simmons is “The Closest Thing I’ve Seen” to Trent Williams, and Paul Finebaum Compares Arch Manning to Tim Tebow

By Chase Brown on July 3, 2025 at 5:00 am
Jeremiah Smith
X/@adidasFBallUS
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Welcome to the Skull Session.

Ohio State football returns to the Horseshoe in 59 days.

Have a good Thursday.

 “THREE STRIPES FOR LIFE.” Jeremiah Smith became an Adidas athlete on Wednesday.

On the surface, Smith’s endorsement deal with Adidas looks like a miss for Nike, which has a $252 million partnership with Ohio State that runs through 2033. However, when reading one of Smith’s comments from his interview with The Athletic’s Manny Navarro, it appears Nike never stood a chance.

“I’ve been wearing Adidas since I was a young kid, 11, 10 years old,” Smith told Navarro. “To be part of the brand is something special.”

Adidas is the latest brand to hire Smith to promote their products. His announced partnerships also include American Eagle Outfitters, Battle Sports, Chipotle, DSW, Lululemon and Red Bull. 

With all those deals, a pair of $10,000 jeans doesn’t seem all that crazy anymore, does it? 

Well, it does, but it doesn’t. 

You know what I mean.

 THE NEXT TRENT WILLIAMS? In a recent New Heights podcast, brothers Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce welcomed Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith on the show to discuss the team’s newest faces. That included former Ohio State left tackle Josh Simmons, who landed with the Chiefs at No. 32 overall in the 2025 NFL draft.

“The one I’m looking forward to, I just got to be honest, that left tackle position was somewhat of a revolving door all season long for you last year,” Jason Kelce said, transitioning a conversation about Tennessee, Smith’s alma mater, to Simmons. “Have you seen this kid yet? Josh Simmons, to me, watching the tape in college, it was absurd. The athletic ability and size – Trav knows because I’ve been watching this dude, and I’ve been preaching him.”

“I’ve seen it. I’ve seen it,” Travis Kelce interjected. “He was playing as a scout team defensive end. He was playing his gap, but he was being a pro. He was being locked in and being a pro, and I felt that man’s hands grab me, and I was like, ‘Alright! Alright!’ Even when he’s just giving the looks, I got to make sure I have my feet planted, man.”

After the trio shared laughs, Jason Kelce continued in his praise for Simmons, comparing him to a 16-year NFL veteran with 11 Pro Bowl nominations and four All-Pro accolades.

“This kid, I mean, he is the closest thing I’ve seen to like a Trent Williams – like that next level strength and athleticism. The only reason he fell to you guys is because of that injury,” Kelce said.

Smith agreed.

“I haven’t seen him in action, but I’ve heard that he is so strong, like unbelievably strong. The talent is there, man. I’ve seen some of his film as well,” Smith said. “I think he’s gonna be a great asset to the team. I’m looking forward to it.”

In the words of TreVeyon Henderson, shoooooot. If Simmons is the next Williams, I am looking forward to it, too!

 THE BEST SINCE TIM TEBOW?! In an appearance on ESPN’s Get Up earlier this week, Finebaum showered praise on Texas and Manning when asked what his expectations are for the Longhorns and their quarterback this fall.

“The absolute roof. I think there’s a reasonably good chance that Arch Manning will be sitting on the front row in New York at the Heisman ceremony,” Finebaum replied. “That’s assuming that his team does what it’s supposed to do and competes not only for the SEC (championship), but for the national championship. I really believe they will.”

But that’s not all!

Then, Finebaum fell off his rocker.

“I believe, also, that Arch Manning is the best college football quarterback we have seen since Tim Tebow entered the scene in 2006,” he said.

Arch Manning? Quinn Ewers’ backup the past two seasons? The 21-year-old whose two starts have come against Louisiana-Monroe and a Mississippi State that finished 2-10 with an 0-8 record in the SEC? (Regarding Ewers, did you see Steve Spurrier’s comments about Manning last month? “They’ve got Arch Manning already winning the Heisman. My question is, if he was this good, how come they let Quinn Ewers play all the time last year? He was a seventh-round pick,” Spurrier said. He makes a good point!)

Look, Manning could be great. Heck, he could be the next Tebow. But I’ll hold off on those opinions until I see him perform in front of 105,000 screaming fans inside Ohio Stadium and compete in the SEC, a conference Southern folk tell me is the best in college football! If Manning is a gamer, a baller, a playmaker and a shot caller, he’ll have no issues at all – but I have my doubts!

 THE FILM ROOM. Over the past two months, the Ohio State men’s basketball creative team has released videos of Jake Diebler in the film room breaking down how offseason additions Christoph Tilly (Santa Clara), Gabe Cupps (Indiana), Brandon Noel (Wright State) and A’mare Bynum (Link Academy) can make an impact for the Buckeyes.

This fantastic series continued Wednesday when Diebler looked at film from Josh Ojianwuna’s past three seasons at Baylor.

ICYMI: The rest of the videos are good, too!

 SONG OF THE DAY. “You Are the Best Thing” - Ray LaMontagne.

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