Welcome to the Skull Session.
Happy Independence Day.
Have a fun and safe holiday.
Word of the Day: Free
NEW-LOOK JEREMIAH. I need to send The Athletic’s Manny Navarro a thank you card for featuring his Jeremiah Smith interview in the Skull Session multiple times this week, but look, there's still so much #content that I haven’t discussed yet! I’m just scratching the surface here!
Jeremiah Smith has called his shot.https://t.co/g4iqDKfmLA pic.twitter.com/B8uIr7FIhO
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) July 1, 2025
In addition to his comments about Michigan and Adidas, Smith also discussed his physical development this offseason. With his own apartment in Columbus and a private chef who makes all of his meals, Smith has gained weight and lost body fat this summer.
“I changed my eating habits – just eating healthy food, salmon, rice with vegetables,” Smith said. “I’m at 225 pounds now. I was at 205 or 208 when I got there. Body fat, I think I’m the second-lowest on the team. I just did 20 reps of 225 pounds on the bench and ran 22 (miles per hour) in a game.”
A 6-foot-3, 225-pound wide receiver…
Great googly moogly.
Smith had 76 catches for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns as a freshman last season. With a harder, better, faster, stronger frame, he seems poised to improve upon those numbers as a sophomore.
“I still have a lot of work to do,” Smith told Navarro. “I’ve got two, three more years left of college. I’ve still got to go to the pros – hopefully by the grace of God. I’ve just got to keep it going. Just because I had one great year, I can’t get comfortable and depend on that. I want to do this year in and year out.”
If he does, a Heisman Trophy could be in Smith’s future. But, because he’s a remarkable young man, he’s not concerned about individual awards at the moment.
“I’m just trying to win another natty – that’s what I’m focused on,” Smith said. “All the other individual accolades will come after that.”
YOU’RE SAYING THERE’S A CHANCE. It’s not impossible for Smith to become the fifth wide receiver to win the Heisman Trophy, joining Notre Dame’s Tim Brown (1987), [REDACTED], Alabama’s DeVonta Smith (2020) and Colorado’s Travis Hunter (2024).
According to the latest odds from FanDuel Sportsbook, Smith has the fourth-best odds to win the award at +1300, trailing only Texas quarterback Arch Manning (+700), LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (+800) and Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (+900).
Still, it’s like Smith told Navarro. Win another national championship, and all the other individual accolades will follow!
TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN’. According to The Advocate’s Wilson Alexander, LSU football hopes “the NCAA will allow schools to sell patches on their jerseys” in the near future. If it does, the Tigers stand to make millions of dollars a year as a result.
“LSU has mapped out where the patches would go on every jersey, from cross country to football. Most of them would appear on the chest in purple and gold,” Alexander wrote. He then mentioned that an LSU official told him the school does not want its uniforms to resemble “some crazy, NASCAR-like situation,” where advertisements and sponsorships cover every inch of the drives from head to toe.
NEW: LSU plans to sell jersey patch advertisements, pending NCAA approval, @NOLAnews reportshttps://t.co/m9OUXZRIVe pic.twitter.com/LAHVhYPr8b
— On3 (@On3sports) July 2, 2025
LSU’s idea to place patches on their uniforms isn’t a new one. Before the 2024 season, Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin called it a potential revenue stream while discussing the NCAA’s decision to approve sponsorship logos on fields.
“That’s an obvious revenue stream that has not been there in the past,” Stricklin told USA TODAY. “The pro sports are putting patches on jerseys. That doesn’t seem like something that’s crazy for us to consider these days.”
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey also discussed jersey patches a year ago and seemingly voiced his approval.
“We’ve had jersey patches in bowl games,” he said. “I would anticipate there’s going to be a continuing push (for new revenues). We’re going to have to come to some agreement in this new environment on where those limits exist.”
I can almost guarantee that those limits won’t stop before jersey patches. So, I have to ask the question. If (more likely when) Ohio State decides to add patches to their jerseys, which brand should the Buckeyes promote? Safelite is already the field sponsor, so the glass repair company is the natural frontrunner. Then, there’s Nationwide, JPMorgan Chase — wait, I like that one! Ohio State could put "CHASE" on the front of their jerseys. That’s a winner!
THE HAPPIEST OF HOURS. The Eleven Warriors staff has another big announcement: Next week, 12th Warriors will have the chance to go behind the scenes with an Ohio State legend. On July 11, we will continue the 12th Warrior Happy Hour, an exclusive new series where members of our selfless perks program will have direct access to Buckeye greats in a live, exclusive Q&A.
Andy Katzenmoyer was our lead-off man for the Happy Hour series, and following him in the order is someone who can do this all day: former Ohio State All-American and current Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbin, who will appear on Friday, July 11, at 5 p.m.
During the relaxed, interactive experience, 12th Warriors will hear untold stories, have the opportunity to ask questions and connect with Ohio State history like never before. It's our way of saying thank you for backing independent coverage, representing 11W and being like the great state of Ohio — The Heart of It All.
So, 12th Warriors, select a drink of choice, log on and let’s make some memories. We'll share further details in the Premium Lounge.
Not a 12th Warrior?
It's a great time to join.
For $85 a year (just 23 cents a day), you can join a selfless perks program designed to flip the paywall system, keeping our coverage free for all, by paying it forward. Membership includes perks like admission to 12th Warrior Happy Hour, a voucher for $40 off a purchase from Eleven Warriors Dry Goods, access to the fabled Premium Lounge and more.
Want to chat with Dobbins, help the site and score other perks? Sign up to become a 12th Warrior!
SONG OF THE DAY. "America The Beautiful" - Ray Charles.
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