Ohio State Pride on Full Display as Denny Hamlin Wins in Michigan, Jeremiah Smith Dunks on Jonas Gray, Tyleik Williams Shines

If there was ever a weekend that brought together speed, style, swagger, and scarlet, Ohio State fans couldn’t have asked for anything better than what unfolded in Michigan and Detroit. From a NASCAR victory to a football-basketball crossover moment that broke the internet, to a Buckeye defensive star taking the mound with confidence, this past weekend was a celebration of Ohio State pride on multiple fronts — all away from Columbus, and all deeply etched in enemy territory.

It started at the track. NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, a long-known Ohio State fan despite being born and raised in Tampa, Florida, captured a statement win at Michigan International Speedway. With the checkered flag flying and his car adorned in his familiar No. 11 livery, Hamlin celebrated a hard-fought victory in front of a crowd that included more than a few maize and blue supporters. But in true Buckeye fashion, Hamlin made sure to wave the scarlet banner — figuratively and literally — as he took the victory lap and acknowledged his allegiance.

Hamlin, who’s been open about his support for Ohio State football over the years, didn’t shy away from the moment. Wearing a custom Ohio State cap during the post-race press conference and referencing “unfinished business in Ann Arbor” with a sly grin, he gave Buckeye Nation a reason to smile in a state that typically prides itself on Michigan blue.

“Winning here is always sweet,” Hamlin said. “But as a Buckeye, it’s even sweeter.”

The moment wasn’t lost on social media, where Buckeye fans flooded timelines with celebrations, memes, and pointed jabs at Michigan fans. After all, if a Buckeye supporter is going to win anything in Michigan, it always stings a little more for those on the other side of The Game.

But the weekend wasn’t just about Hamlin’s dominance on the track. Elsewhere, Jeremiah Smith reminded the world why he’s not just a future football phenom but also a bonafide athlete in every sense of the word. Smith, the five-star freshman wide receiver already penciled in by many as the next great Ohio State pass-catcher, went viral after absolutely posterizing former Notre Dame and New England Patriots running back Jonas Gray during a pickup basketball game.

Footage of the dunk — a thunderous one-handed slam in traffic that left Gray stunned and the gym erupting — quickly made its rounds online. It was the kind of play that would’ve made ESPN’s Top 10 if it had occurred in an official game. But for Buckeye fans, it was yet another reason to believe in the immense potential of Smith, who has already drawn comparisons to Marvin Harrison Jr. not just for his on-field polish but for his off-field maturity and athletic prowess.

“Jeremiah’s a freak,” one Ohio State assistant coach reportedly said after seeing the clip. “You don’t teach that kind of explosion. That’s God-given.”

Gray, for his part, took it in stride, tweeting, “I’m retiring from basketball. Jeremiah Smith is HIM.” That light-hearted surrender only made Buckeye Nation laugh harder. But more importantly, it highlighted a unique aspect of Smith’s personality: confidence without cockiness. He reposted the video with a simple caption — “All love” — and tagged Gray, showing a level of humility that complements his highlight-reel talent.

The dunk wasn’t just about athleticism, though. It was a symbolic moment, a flex of future dominance. Ohio State wide receivers have become almost synonymous with greatness in recent years, and Smith’s emphatic slam echoed that legacy in a different arena. It also gave fans something to salivate over before fall camp begins. If Smith can bring that same vertical explosiveness to the gridiron, defensive backs across the Big Ten might want to take notice now.

And then came the icing on the cake — or maybe, the fastball on the mound. Defensive tackle Tyleik Williams, one of the Buckeyes’ emotional leaders and a key figure on what’s expected to be a top-tier defense this fall, took the mound at Comerica Park in Detroit to throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Tigers game. As expected, Williams didn’t disappoint.

Dressed in a Tigers jersey with a custom Ohio State hat, the 6-foot-3, 330-pound lineman delivered a respectable throw that made it across the plate without the kind of disaster that sometimes befalls celebrities or athletes from other sports. It wasn’t a Nolan Ryan heater, but it was solid — a respectable delivery from a guy whose fast-twitch power is usually used to disrupt backfields, not throw baseballs.

The Detroit crowd offered a warm reception, and even the Tigers’ Twitter account gave Williams a shoutout, noting his role on Ohio State’s defense and wishing him luck this upcoming season. But again, for Buckeye fans, the location added spice. To have a Buckeye throwing out the first pitch in Detroit — another bastion of Wolverine territory — was symbolic of the broader theme of the weekend: Ohio State taking over Michigan.

Williams himself leaned into that dynamic, posting a photo of his throw with the caption, “Buckeyes everywhere, even in Michigan.”

All of these moments — Hamlin’s win, Smith’s dunk, Williams’ pitch — might seem disconnected at a glance, but together they form a vibrant tapestry of Ohio State fandom and influence, stretching far beyond the walls of Ohio Stadium or the confines of campus. They represent the passion, pride, and presence that Buckeyes have in every arena they enter, whether it’s a race track, a basketball court, or a baseball diamond.

It’s also worth noting that none of this was officially orchestrated by the university. These were organic, fan-fueled moments. Hamlin isn’t an Ohio State alum, but he loves the program. Smith is just starting his college journey, but he’s already embraced the Buckeye brand. Williams, a returning veteran, continues to represent the program with both humility and humor. This isn’t marketing. It’s momentum. It’s culture. It’s a fanbase that travels, that celebrates its own, and that finds joy in victories big and small — especially when they happen in rival territory.

There’s something special about the way Ohio State athletes and fans carry themselves. Call it swagger. Call it tradition. Call it that chip on the shoulder that comes from playing in a conference filled with history and rivalry. Whatever you call it, it was on full display this weekend.

For fans counting the days until the football season begins, these moments were a welcome appetizer. They served as a reminder of what’s coming — a fall filled with expectations, energy, and yes, enemies. Michigan might have won the last few battles on the field, but weekends like this show that the war for cultural clout is ongoing, and Ohio State still has plenty of ammunition.

There are few fanbases that embrace their identity like Buckeye Nation. Whether it’s revving engines on a speedway, elevating over defenders in a gym, or confidently walking to a pitcher’s mound in front of thousands, Ohio State athletes and supporters exude a confidence that is both earned and enduring.

As the summer heats up and the countdown to the 2025 season intensifies, the events of this past weekend will linger in the minds of Buckeye fans and foes alike. They’re fun. They’re personal. They’re unforgettable. And they matter — not just because of what they were, but because of what they represent.

Ohio State isn’t just a school. It’s a movement. And whether it’s burning rubber, dunking basketballs, or tossing baseballs, that movement is rolling strong.

Especially when it rolls right through Michigan.