Skull Session: Ohio State’s Midyear Enrollees Are On Campus, Kirk Herbstreit Talks The Game and a Potential Wolverines Title “Ought to Come With a Damn Asterisk”

By Chase Brown on January 8, 2024 at 5:00 am
James Peoples
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Welcome to the Skull Session.

Ohio State football secured a couple of BOOMs over the weekend from Seth McLaughlin and Devin Sanchez.

Another one could be on the way...

Let's have a good Monday, shall we?

 WELCOME TO COLUMBUS. With Ohio State's classes back in session on Monday, the Buckeyes' midyear enrollees – which include 15 freshmen and three transfers – are on campus at THE greatest university in the entire world.

Among the over 11 million people in Buckeye Nation, some are confused about who will and won't be a midyear enrollee. If that's you, dear reader, be confused no longer. We at Eleven Warriors have you covered.

Ohio State’s midyear enrollees for 2024:

2024 Class, Offense

2024 Class, ​Defense

Transfers

Ohio State's summer enrollees will be five-star wide receiver Mylan Graham, four-star tight ends Max LeBlanc and Damarion Witten, three-star offensive lineman Gabe VanSickle and three-star safety Leroy Roker. Should the Buckeyes add another prospect in the 2024 class – for example, four-star defensive lineman Dominic Kirks of Painesville, Ohio – that recruit would also enroll in June.

 “MICHIGAN PLAYS FOR EACH OTHER.” In a recent interview with well-documented Michigan fan Rich Eisen, former Ohio State quarterback and current ESPN college football commentator Kirk Herbstreit was asked to describe what the Wolverines have that the Buckeyes lack.

To summarize in one sentence, Herbstreit said, "Michigan plays for each other."

That line and more were featured in a four-minute video from "The Rich Eisen Show":

"I like Ryan (Day). I know him. I know what he is about. I think this has been hard on him when you go 11-0 and lose to Michigan and get ridiculous treatment from your fans. It's not just, 'Oh, man, you have to beat Michigan.' It's when it gets personal and the attacks on him and his family. I know (those are) not something – for him and his family – I know are not something he signed up for, but he understands it.

"Ohio State has to look in the mirror. You have to adjust. Go back to where Jim Harbaugh was four, five, six years ago. In 2020, during COVID, they made adjustments to his contract and some of their own fans were frustrated. To his credit, he made some moves. (Former Michigan defensive coordinator) Don Brown was a hero. They had to make some difficult decisions. He got younger on his staff. They got faster in some spots. They adjusted. And Alabama will adjust and so will Georgia. 

"With Ohio State, the adjustment is that they recruit on a national level and they get great individual talent. I think if there's one thing that's gotten away from them a little bit it's this: Is everybody pulling the rope together? Is it a bunch of individuals that they are trying to talk into understanding Ohio State and Ohio State's history, or is it a landing spot for three years to propel them into the NFL? That's what they have to face.

"Recruiting great talent is one thing. But trying to get them to buy into being a great team and playing for Ohio State has got to be the number one thing. The NFL should be a big goal of yours. It's great. NIL should be a big goal of yours. That's great. But it's not in front of what we're doing as a team. ... If they're already in a good place there, then so be it, but that, to me, when you look at them against Michigan, that has stood out the past couple of years. Michigan plays for each other. ... That matters."

I tend to agree with Herbstreit on various college football developments and stories. However, I'll push back here. I have to.

The fact that almost all of the Buckeyes' draft-eligible stars played in the Cotton Bowl, save for potential top-three overall pick Marvin Harrison Jr., Tommy Eichenberg and Lathan Ransom (who were both hurt), doesn't tell me that Ohio State's players are focused more on their NFL futures than team success.

TreVeyon Henderson, Emeka Egbuka, Cade Stover and Donovan Jackson played. JT Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer, Tyleik Williams, Mike Hall Jr., Ty Hamilton, Steele Chambers, Cody Simon, Denzel Burke and Jordan Hancock played.

They all played for The Brotherhood.

So far, Simon, Williams, Ransom and Sawyer have announced they will return to Ohio State for another season in 2024.

They all returned for The Brotherhood.

In the past three years, culture has not been the difference between the Buckeyes and the Wolverines. What has been the difference? Some believe Michigan had a better team; others believe Michigan had a better espionage department. Regardless if the former or the latter is the case (or both), all Ohio State can do is move forward.

The 120th edition of The Game is in 328 days.

 MANY PEOPLE ARE UPSET.  Soooooooooooo, about Michigan.

Washington has a chance to do the coolest thing ever on Monday if (and when) the Huskies defeat Michigan in the College Football Playoff national championship.

You see, when "That Team Up North" competes for a title at NRG Stadium in Houston, Ohio State fans will not be alone in their hatred of the Wolverines. Far from it, actually.

In a recent article for Yahoo Sports, Ross Dellenger included several quotes from unnamed athletic directors and college football coaches who believe it's "unfortunate," "ridiculous," and "not fair" that Michigan could win a national championship this season. Why? Well, of course, we all know the reason: The unfair advantage the Wolverines gained from a sign-stealing operation Connor Stalions created and operated – one the NCAA can prove occurred.

“That’s a good football team. They are a very good football team,” said one Power Five athletic director, “but this shows my concern with the NCAA process. This is our system and it’s unfortunate. The system allows it, which is why we’ve got to change so much.”

“It’s ridiculous that they are there parading around,” said one Power Five head coach. “It’s not good for the game.”

“There ought to be a damn asterisk next to it,” said one longtime college football assistant coach. “It’s not fair. It ain’t right.”

“Michigan still playing speaks to how the NCAA chooses when to take action and when not to take action,” said another Power Five athletic director. “As an industry, we need to be better at it and quicker. President Baker says he wants to speed things up. Well, when is that starting?”

I agree with "one longtime college football assistant coach." If Michigan wins, there "ought to be a damn asterisk next to it."

However, I would prefer – and I believe we all would prefer – that Kalen DeBoer, Michael Penix Jr. and Washington win the whole f––– thing.

Go Huskies.

 H7M. Folks, Coleridge Bernard Stroud IV is Him. Plain and simple.

Last season, the Houston Texans went 3-13-1.

On April 27, 2023, the Houston Texans drafted C.J. Stroud.

This season, the Houston Texans went 10-7 in the regular season, won the AFC South and are headed to the NFL playoffs as the No. 4 seed. Stroud and Co. will host the Cleveland Browns at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. NBC and Peacock will broadcast the game.

As a Browns fan, I have a question for Doug Pederson, Trevor Lawrence, and the Jaguars: Why did you have to lose to the Tennesee Titans on Sunday? I would have much rather Cleveland face Jacksonville than Stroud and the Texans. Now, I have to root for my favorite team to beat my favorite quarterback, and that sucks.

Oh, well. I suppose I'll call it a win, no matter the outcome.

 SONG OF THE DAY. “Hello, It's Me” - Todd Rundgren.

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Ohio State Buckeyes safety Lathan Ransom (8) celebrates with cornerback Jordan Hancock (7) after Ransom intercepted a pass in the second half at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.
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