Welcome to the Skull Session.
Jordan Hancock to the CRIB!
More calls in 24
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) July 2, 2024
@jordanhancock_ pic.twitter.com/R8RrZqIBuK
Have a good Wednesday.
OK, DUDE, WHAT THE FLIP? In May, EA Sports trolled the Buckeyes with three clips in its initial trailer for EA Sports College Football 25. Those clips included Michigan running back Donovan Edwards stiff-arming Ohio State safety Lathan Ransom, former Ohio State and current Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord handing a ball off and Illinois hoisting the Illibuck Trophy, something the Illini have not done since 2007.
On Tuesday, about six weeks later, EA Sports trolled Ohio State again. This time, the studio had the Buckeyes lose to Oregon in the national championship of their simulated 12-team College Football Playoff. The score? 42-20 Ducks.
— no context college football (@nocontextcfb) July 2, 2024
Now, in one regard, it’s a troll. In another, it’s kind of not — I guess?
Ohio State and Oregon faced off in the 2014 national championship, and the Buckeyes beat the Ducks 42-20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. So, sure, Oregon can have its video game championship. Ohio State still gets to celebrate the real thing 10 years later. Speaking of which, let’s celebrate that win another time here (and 1,000 times after):
Glorious.
FOUR FIRST-ROUND BUCKEYES. This week, Matt Miller of ESPN revealed his initial NFL mock draft for next year. With nine months until April 2025, Miller thinks four Buckeyes will come off the board in the first 32 picks, including JT Tuimoloau, Tyleik Williams, Quinshon Judkins and Emeka Egbuka.
Here is where Miller has each of those Buckeyes landing:
No. 22 - JT Tuimoloau to the Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons finished 32nd in the league in pass rush win rate last season (30.9%) and then didn't make any additions at outside linebacker until the third round of the draft. Tuimoloau, who displays some special footwork, is poised for a big season as a senior after posting five sacks last year. If he can string together more consistent performances in 2024, the 270-pound rusher could soar up the board.
No. 24 - Tyleik Williams to the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay has a solid group of outside pass-rushers, but the interior could be up for a reset with Kenny Clark potentially hitting free agency next spring. Second-year player Devonte Wyatt showed promise last season, but there's room for Williams here beside him if Clark leaves. Williams' burst off the snap pops at 6-2 and 290 pounds. He had just three sacks last season but has flashed impressive pass-rush moves and Round 1 upside throughout his career.
No. 27 - Quinshon Judkins to the Dallas Cowboys
We're back to running backs in the first round!? Judkins has elite talent, and Dallas ignored the position throughout this offseason beyond a reunion with 29-year-old Ezekiel Elliott. Judkins rushed for 2,725 yards and scored 31 rushing touchdowns over two years with Ole Miss before transferring to Ohio State. He will share carries with TreVeyon Henderson there, but the new Buckeye has Heisman-level talent and the burst and balance to be a great NFL running back.
No. 30 - Emeka Egbuka to the Detroit Lions
I expect that general manager Brad Holmes will put some focus on receiver depth next offseason. The Lions are waiting to see what Jameson Williams can be in his third season after a series of setbacks due to injury and suspension, but the WR3 role is open for business. Egbuka is a savvy route runner with sure hands and toughness over the middle that would fit Detroit's offense. The senior should bounce back from a down year in 2023 (41 catches for 515 yards and four TDs) and post numbers closer to his huge 2022 season (74 catches for 1,151 yards and 10 TDs).
It could be seen as a negative that Ohio State doesn’t have a top 10 or top 20 pick in Miller’s mock draft. However, we must remember the Buckeyes could have 15 or more players drafted across all seven rounds — and tie or surpass Georgia for the most prospects selected in one draft — so it’s not all that bad.
TOP DUOS EVER? This week, Brad Crawford and several college football writers at CBS Sports ranked the top 50 best playmaking duos in college football history. Among them were three Buckeyes pairings, including wide receivers Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, defensive ends Nick Bosa and Chase Young and linebackers A.J. Hawk and Bobby Carpenter.
Here is where Crawford and Co. ranked those duos (plus some added context from me):
No. 46 - Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson
Olave and Wilson were Ohio State teammates for three years, with the former attending the school from 2018-22 and the latter from 2019-22. In their time together as Buckeyes, Olave and Wilson caught passes from two future first-round quarterbacks, Justin Fields and C.J. Stroud, and combined for 307 receptions, 4,727 yards and 55 touchdowns.
No. 27 - Nick Bosa and Chase Young
Bosa and Young were Ohio State teammates for two years — well, almost. Bosa attended Ohio State from 2016-18, while Young went to the school from 2017-19; however, Bosa suffered a core muscle tear that ended his 2018 season after three games. Even still, Bosa and Young appeared in 13 games together as Buckeyes, during which the duo combined for 71 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.
No. 22 - A.J. Hawk and Bobby Carpenter
Both members of Ohio State’s 2002 class, Hawk and Carpenter were teammates for four years in Columbus. In that time, the linebackers appeared in over 50 games each for the Buckeyes, combining for 585 tackles, 64.5 tackles for loss, 29.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, 20 pass breakups and 10 interceptions.
I love these duos — love them.
But I have one question… Where the heck are Archie Griffin and Pete Johnson?
As Ohio State’s featured fullbacks in 1974 and 1975, Griffin collected 481 carries for 2,977 yards and 16 touchdowns, while Johnson recorded 278 carries for 1,276 yards and 30 scores. That means the two-time Heisman Trophy winner and two-time All-Big Ten ballcarrier combined for 759 carries, 4,253 yards and 46 touchdowns in 22 games across two years. If that doesn’t make them one of the top 50 best playmaking duos of all time, then I don’t know what would.
Note: If I missed another prominent Ohio State playmaking duo that deserves recognition, please let me know. I also considered mentioning Cris Carter and Mike Lanese, Chris Spielman and Pepper Johnson, David Boston and Dee Miller, Braxton Miller and Carlos Hyde, and more.
“IT WILL BE WEIRD.” On Friday, Gene Smith left the Fawcett Center for the final time as Ohio State’s athletic director. Before his departure, he sat down with Cameron Teague Robinson of The Athletic for a Q&A. In the interview, Smith discussed his 19-year tenure at the school, including what he’s proud of, what he would change and how the role could look different under Ross Bjork.
He also discussed how it has felt to leave Ohio State when the school’s football program has an excellent chance to win a national championship in 2024.
Q: The football program is on fire. Is it going to be weird for you to step away?
A: It will be weird. I struggled with leaving this unbelievably talented team, that I think has the camaraderie and chemistry to be successful. The most talented team doesn’t always win but when you have a culture and chemistry, you have a shot, and I think this team has it. Of course, they have great coaching, we just paid for the best. I believe it has a shot, and that’s weird for me to step away from. But at the same time, it will be cool for me — I thought about this — it’ll be cool for me to just watch it. Just sit at the crib, turn on the TV, have my beer and just cheer them on. I’m looking forward to that. I’ll slide back into a game, sit in the C-deck and chill.
I’ll bet a million dollars that if Gene Smith returns to Ohio Stadium for a football game he will not purchase a ticket and sit in the C-deck. However, the thought of him doing so is quite entertaining. Could you imagine being in section 30C at an Ohio State football game and Gene and Sheila Smith make themselves comfortable in the bleacher seats beside you? That’d be quite a story to share with your family, friends, co-workers or anyone who would listen.
But I digress.
Smith believes what we all believe — that Ohio State is an “unbelievably talented team.” But it’s not the Buckeyes’ talent that will result in a national championship. Instead, it’s the team's camaraderie, chemistry and culture. Good news: Those are three areas where Ryan Day shines as a head coach, or so I think — and, if I had to guess, Smith thinks. That gives Ohio State “a shot” at winning the College Football Playoff this year. Hopefully, it ends up being more than that when December and January arrive.
SONG OF THE DAY. “Who’s Laughing Now” - Durry.
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