Welcome to the Skull Session.
A win over Michigan is great — no matter the sport.
This series win is for OHIO!#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/0rfuqhsWRb
— Ohio State Softball (@OhioStateSB) May 5, 2024
Have a good Monday.
A MESSAGE TO JAKE DIEBLER… My apologies. I wasn’t familiar with your game.
On Friday, Ohio State men’s basketball landed a massive commitment from former Duke forward Sean Stewart. The 6-foot-9, 229-pound forward is the third five-star transfer Diebler has added to his roster this offseason after landing Meechie Johnson Jr. and Aaron Bradshaw in April.
Moreover, Stewart is Diebler’s first transfer commitment since Felix Okpara entered the transfer portal (and later committed to Tennessee) — a decision that, at the time, made me ask a question in the April 22 Skull Session:
Are Ohio State’s offseason transfer additions and substractions a net positive or negative?
At that time, Ohio State’s transfer additions were Johnson, Bradshaw and Micah Parrish, and its transfer subtractions were Okpara, Roddy Gayle Jr., Zed Key and Bowen Hardman, so it felt like a net negative.
However, Stewart’s commitment changes the equation.
As Andy Anders wrote in his well-detailed breakdown of Stewart’s future impact with the Buckeyes, the former five-star recruit averaged 2.6 points and 3.2 rebounds in 8.3 minutes per game as a freshman. That’s not great at first glance, but with one look at Stewart’s rate statistics, one will find that Stewart had the potential to average 12.7 points and 15.3 rebounds per 40 minutes and 18.9 points and 22.8 rebounds per 100 possessions. Both of those rates were higher than Okapara, who started at center in all but one of Ohio State’s games last season.
All of that said, Ohio State’s class is now firmly a net positive.
With one roster spot left, Diebler needs to add a proven shooter who can knock down 3-pointers. If he can do that, I will be ready to declare this offseason a roaring success for the interim-turned-head coach of the Buckeyes.
GOOD LOOKS, QUINSHON. Last week, I included a section in the Skull Session about Jeremiah Smith, where the Ohio State freshman wide receiver donated $5,000 to his alma mater, Chaminade Madonna Prep, in Hollywood, Florida.
This week, I will feature Quinshon Judkins, who — like Smith — chose to give back to his community. On Saturday, the Ole Miss transfer running back was back in his hometown of Montgomery, Alabama, and appeared at the Alabama Kidney Walk and Celebration. There, someone pledged to donate $1,000 for each touchdown Judkins scores for the Buckeyes in 2024.
ALSO: Star @OhioStateFB RB Quinshon Judkins stopping by to show his support.
— Simon Schuessler (@SimonSchuessler) May 4, 2024
It was announced this morning that $1,000 will be donated to the Alabama Kidney Foundation for every TD he scores this year(hes had 17 the past 2 years)
More tonight on @wsfa12news @qaj4_ pic.twitter.com/ohyy40yg9x
As a freshman at Ole Miss, Judkins carried the ball 274 times for 1,567 yards and 16 touchdowns. He recorded similar numbers as a sophomore, collecting 271 carries for 1,158 yards and 15 scores. Judkins earned first-team All-SEC honors in both seasons.
At Ohio State, Judkins will share the backfield with TreVeyon Henderson, James Peoples, Sam Williams-Dixon and TC Caffey, so the chances of Judkins recording that many carries, yards and touchdowns are slim. Still, the Buckeyes have Chip Kelly as their offensive coordinator now, and that man loves to run the football, so it’s not impossible.
At any rate, Judkins will reach the end zone several times this season, and a generous donor will give thousands of dollars to the Alabama Kidney Foundation. According to its website, the foundation “serves kidney patients by providing financial assistance, education and support services” and "promotes organ donation awareness and prevention of kidney disease.”
Cheers to all involved here.
May Judkins score all the more in 2024.
PASS OUT THE DEGREES. Ten Ohio State football players were among the over 12,000 students to participate in the university’s graduation ceremony on Sunday. They were Xavier Johnson, Ty Hamilton, Patrick Gurd, Chad Ray, Max Lomonico, Quinton Burke, Sam Hart, Parker Lewis, Cameron Martinez and Andrew Moore.
Congrats to our GradBucks pic.twitter.com/blKQ2qwqO5
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) May 5, 2024
Johnson graduated with his master’s degree in translational data analytics after receiving his bachelor’s degree in consumer and family financial services. In five seasons with the Buckeyes, the Cincinnati native recorded 70 touches for 682 yards and three scores. On April 29, he signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent and will attend training camp with the franchise this summer.
Hamilton graduated with a degree in family resource management. The Pickerington, Ohio, native has appeared in 41 games for the Buckeyes over the past four years and returns in 2024 after a 38-tackle 2023 season that included 4.5 tackles for loss.
Gurd graduated with a degree in health sciences and plans to become a physician’s assistant with a focus on pediatrics. The New Albany, Ohio, native is the son of former Ohio State linebacker, Andy Gurd (1987-91), and has appeared in 17 games across four years with the Buckeyes. Patrick Gurd will be a key member of Keenan Bailey’s tight end room in 2024.
Ray is a walk-on quarterback from Dublin, Ohio, who earned a degree in health sciences, while Lomonico is a walk-on long snapper from Pickerington Ohio, who earned a degree in human development and family services.
Other Buckeyes to graduate on Sunday included Burke (zoology), Hart (logistics management), Lewis (human development and family services), Martinez (human development and family services) and Moore (family resource management). Burke and Moore were both walk-ons for the Buckeyes and did not appear in games for the Buckeyes. Meanwhile, Hart, Lewis and Martinez varied in participation during their Ohio State tenures. This offseason, Hart transferred to Colorado, Lewis transferred to Arizona State and Martinez transferred to Boston College.
ConGRADulations
— Ohio State Buckeyes (@OhioStAthletics) May 5, 2024
So proud of our student athletes who officially became @OhioState alumni today. We cannot thank you enough for all youve done for the Scarlet & Gray. O-H
https://t.co/eKcl9KjKaY pic.twitter.com/w1Yd2wAQQL
While the Buckeyes mentioned will have different destinations after Sunday — Johnson to the NFL, Hamilton, Gurd, Ray and Lomonico back to Ohio State, Burke and Moore to the workforce and Hart, Lewis and Martinez to new schools — all of them have degrees from THE Ohio State University. And that’s something no one can ever take away from them.
Congratulations to these graduates. I wish them the best of luck in their next adventures.
IN HONOR OF KYLE BROWN. On June 11, 2023, Buckeye Nation lost a beloved member of its community. Kyle Brown, a former captain of the Ohio State baseball team, died at 42 years old.
NCAA Baseball coverage across ESPN, ESPN2 & ESPNU began at noon today with this tribute to Kyle Brown from @KrisBudden pic.twitter.com/l4B7uuXcJT
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) June 11, 2023
On Friday, before Game 1 of a three-game series with Northwestern, Ohio State baseball will honor Kyle’s life by dedicating a tree near the entrance of Bill Davis Stadium. Brown’s father, Keith, will also throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Buckeyes.
As Keith walks toward the mound, the PA announcer will reveal information about The Kyle M. Brown Memorial Foundation, which Kyle’s loved ones created to honor his life and legacy. Here is a description of the foundation from its website, onepitchatatime.org:
While Kyle is no longer with us physically, his story does not end here. His approach to life was a beacon for anybody who has taken the time to observe and appreciate his enthusiasm for living, for making the most of every opportunity to, as Kyle would say, "do cool things,” for building relationships and seeing the value in others, and for giving back to his community. By following his example, we can all play a part in seeing Kyle's legacy live on through our actions - one pitch at a time.
The first events The Kyle M. Brown Memorial Foundation will host are its Kids Day and Benefit Dinner on June 27 and the inaugural Kyle Brown Memorial Golf Outing on June 28. The foundation’s website includes details for both events, including how to register:
WHERE: Kensington Golf Club in Canfield, Ohio
WHEN: June 27 and June 28
Kids Day and Benefit Dinner, June 27
Kids Day - An event just for them! Putt putt course, bounce house, golf competitions & prizes - what's not to love?! Dinner will be provided following activities. Kids 16 & younger.
Benefit Dinner - Family-friendly benefit dinner to support The Kyle. M. Brown Memorial Foundation. Buffet dinner, open bar, silent auction, and guest speakers.
Kyle Brown Memorial Golf Outing, June 28
Shotgun start. Meal will be provided at the turn and after the round.
Register or donate to the event here.
While I never met Kyle in person, the way people like Louis Riddick, Holly Rowe and other ESPN professionals spoke about him tell me he was a special person in the newsroom. An email I received from one of his close friends, Nick, revealed the same.
Kyle was a great person and a great Buckeye. If you have the means, please consider donating to the foundation or attending the events. I know it would mean a lot!
SONG OF THE DAY. “Cheers” - Gary Portnoy.
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