Trump Welcomes National Champion Ohio State: 'The First College Football Players in History' to Win the 12-Team Playoff (April 14, 2025)

President Donald Trump welcomed the Ohio State Buckeyes, the first champions of college football’s 12-team playoff, to the White House. “But today is my great honor to welcome the 2024 college football national champions, the Ohio State University Buckeyes. Way to go, fellas,” Trump said on the South Lawn on April 14, 2025, according to the transcript published by the American Presidency Project [1].

“That’s a good-looking group behind me, and they’re big. We’re not going to get into any fights with them, I can guarantee you that,” he joked [1].

The video above shows Trump with the national champion Buckeyes on April 14, 2025. Quotes are from the American Presidency Project, Fox News and Ohio State Athletics [1][2][3].

”You’re the First Ones”

The Buckeyes “are the first college football players in history who can proudly call themselves 12-team playoff champions,” Trump said. “You’re the first ones.” [1]

“This team showed the world that the road to greatness is paved by hard work, sweat, and often a great deal of adversity,” he said [1].

“But many people counted you out, as you know, after the losses against Oregon, which is a great team, and that team up north. We won’t talk about it,” Trump said, as the crowd booed the rival Michigan Wolverines [1].

“This extraordinary group rallied together for a single glorious mission: to win four straight playoff games against the finest teams in college football, and you were able to do it,” he said [1].

”I’d Like to Be Your Agent”

Trump praised head coach Ryan Day. “So, in other words, Ryan, I’d like to be your agent. I want to represent you,” he joked [1].

“And he won the big one, right? He won the big one. That’s the biggest of them all,” Trump said [1].

He praised quarterback Will Howard, who set a playoff record “with 1,150 yards passing.” “Oh, he’s going to be so rich,” Trump said, to laughter [1].

”That’s a Hell of a Thing”

Trump relived the Cotton Bowl against Texas. “In one amazing play, Jack exploded off the line; strip sacked the quarterback, which is not easy to do; scooped the fumble recovery; scored an 83-yard touchdown return; and punched Ohio State’s ticket to the championship game. That’s a hell of a thing,” he said of defensive end Jack Sawyer [1].

“I had some great blockers leading the way,” Sawyer said, to laughter [1].

“That’s when I felt like we were going to win,” Day said of the play [1].

”Go Be Jerry Rice”

Trump said Day had given star receiver Jeremiah Smith “some major praise backstage.” [1]

“Go be Jerry Rice, right? Who’s your favorite?” Trump asked Smith. “Jerry Rice, for sure,” Smith said [1].

Against top-ranked Oregon in the rematch, “In the first half, the Buckeyes built an insurmountable 34-point lead,” Trump said [1].

In the title game, “Offensive MVP Will Howard led the charge again, completing 14 of his first 15 passes,” and “Quinshon Judkins reached the end zone three times.” [1]

“You beat the Fighting Irish that day 34-23, and for the first time in 10 years, proudly claimed the title,” Trump said of the championship game [1].

”Team Scarlet and Gray”

Trump called Vice President JD Vance “a faithful Buckeye alum.” [1] Standing beside the linemen, Vance joked: “I’m short compared to these guys, sir.” [1]

Trump also greeted Trent Conaway, the mayor of East Palestine, Ohio, recalling the 2023 train derailment there. “I visited and Biden didn’t,” Trump said [1].

“I’m so proud to be part of team scarlet and gray today. Congratulations to the Ohio State Buckeyes on a hell of a 2024 season,” Vance said [1].

“I love Ohio. We’ll never let you down. I swear. I promise,” Trump said [1].

“Your story will forever be told. And, Mr. President, thank you again for this incredible honor. God bless America, and go Bucks,” Day said [1].

“I have a lot of buildings. This is the one,” Trump said of the White House. “Everything begins, ends, and rebegins at the Oval Office.” [1]

The team gave Trump a jersey and a helmet, and Trump invited the players to the Oval Office. “And I don’t know if the floor could withstand it, that’s the only question,” he joked [1].

By the Numbers

12: teams in the first expanded playoff [1].
34-23: the title-game win over Notre Dame, per Trump [1].
83 yards: Jack Sawyer’s fumble return against Texas, per Trump [1].
1,150: Will Howard’s playoff passing yards, per Trump [1].
14: Buckeyes taken in the 2025 NFL Draft, per Fox News [2].

What Happened Next

The Buckeyes went to the NFL. “The Buckeyes followed that up with 14 players being selected in the 2025 NFL Draft,” Fox News reported on April 26, 2025. “The Buckeyes led all schools this year with four first-round picks.” [2]

Texas came back, and lost again. Day told Trump the Buckeyes would open the next season against Texas. “No. 3 Ohio State (1-0) knocked off No. 1 Texas (0-1) 14-7 at Ohio Stadium Saturday in the season opener for both squads,” Ohio State Athletics reported on Aug. 30, 2025 [3].

For Trump and the champion Florida Gators, see HYGO News’ page on May 21, 2025. For Trump and the Super Bowl champion Eagles, see the page on April 28, 2025.