Skull Session: Will Howard is The Most Important Player in the CFP Race, Ohio State Needs Josh Simmons to “Be a Huge Contributor” This Year and Jeremiah Smith “Works Really, Really Hard”

By Chase Brown on August 8, 2024 at 5:00 am
Will Howard
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Welcome to the Skull Session.

What happened JIm?

I thought you never lie, cheat or steal.

Is that what you said?

Have a good Thursday.

 THE MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER? On Wednesday, Bill Connelly of ESPN ranked the 25 most important players in the 2024 College Football Playoff race.

Who was the No. 1 player on Connelly’s list?

Will Howard.

On one hand, the job of Ohio State starting quarterback is one of the easiest in the sport. You're going to be throwing to a countless array of five-star receivers, and in most years, you're going to be handing the game to any number of dominant running backs. You're going to score loads of points, and you're probably going to win at least 11 games. (The last full season that didn't produce at least 11 Buckeye wins: 2011.)

On the other hand, the bar is so high that Mondo Duplantis couldn't clear it in the pole vault. Any loss is a catastrophe. A loss to Michigan is apocalyptic. Last year's starter, Kyle McCord, completed 66% of his passes, averaged nearly 14 yards per completion, threw four touchdowns for every interception and finished the season seventh in Total QBR. But he short-armed a couple of throws in a loss to Michigan and was therefore labeled an epic failure before transferring to Syracuse.

Will Howard ranked 23rd in Total QBR last season. He obviously wasn't throwing to Ohio State's receivers, but K-State's skill corps wasn't exactly chopped liver, and he finished the season with a lower completion rate (61% vs. McCord's 66%), fewer yards per completion (12.1 vs. 13.8), a higher interception rate (2.8% vs. 1.7%) and a lower success rate (47% vs. 49%). He's better in the run game, and he could end up forming a devastating connection with Emeka Egbuka and company. But there's no guarantee that he ends up better than McCord, and if he doesn't, Ohio State might not reach the promised land. Even with a pretty easy job, he is the most important player in the country in 2024.

After Howard came Alex Orji (Michigan), Dillon Gabriel (Oregon), Jalen Milroe (Alabama) and Drew Allar (Penn State). Then, Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss), Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), Cam Ward (Miami), Donovan Edwards (Michigan) and Kobe Prentice (Alabama) appeared before two more Buckeyes, Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith, checked in at No. 11.

Ohio State returns maybe the best defense in the country and boasts an incredible running back duo, receiver Emeka Egbuka and a well-seasoned offensive line. But new quarterback Will Howard won't have Marvin Harrison Jr. or even Julian Fleming lining up wide. Tate, a sophomore, is the only other returning wide receiver who caught more than one ball in 2023, and while he was solid for a freshman (264 yards, 1.7 per route, 14.7 per catch), he wasn't exactly Harrison (1,211 yards, 3.5 per route, 18.1 per catch). Be it Tate or Jeremiah Smith, an all-world recruit who immediately looked the part in spring practice, at least one relatively unproven youngster will have to play at a particularly high level alongside Egbuka for Howard to have what he needs and for the Buckeyes to meet mammoth expectations.

Quinshon Judkins also checked in at No. 18.

Judkins might have been the biggest luxury signing of the 2024 transfer class. Ohio State already had the injury-prone but excellent TreVeyon Henderson, plus other former blue-chippers, but adding Judkins gave the Buckeyes the nation's best running back duo. Judkins and Henderson rushed for 10 yards or more on about 14% of their carries last season, and both averaged around 3.0 yards per carry after contact. Henderson's ceiling is probably higher when healthy (he's also a super-dangerous receiver), but now you're not banking your season on Henderson's health. With Henderson, Judkins and slot man Emeka Egbuka, you're giving transfer quarterback Will Howard some vast riches to play with.

Speaking of Howard and Smith...

More of that from them, please.

 THE BLIND SIDE. Chip Kelly sees potential in Ohio State’s offensive line.

“I see the makings of a really good unit,” he said Tuesday. “That whole group worked extremely hard with (strength coach) Mick (Marotti) in the summertime. (With) where they are physically, they came to camp ready to play and ready to compete.”

If the offensive line is to become a “really good unit,” Ohio State will, of course, need Seth McLaughlin to be at his best at center and either Carson Hinzman or Tegra Tshabola to be at their best at right guard. However, it will also need returning starters Josh Simmons, Donovan Jackson and Josh Fryar to elevate their performance after an inconsistent 2023 season.

Last week, Day specifically named Simmons as a lineman he wants to see more from this fall.

“Josh Simmons can do some things that most can’t,” Day said. “He’s very, very skilled and talented. We feel like the offseason was a difference-maker for him. But time will tell, like with a lot of these guys. But I think he’s positioned himself with a good summer and to be the best version of himself.”

Aside from Ohio State’s line-wide mishaps in the Cotton Bowl, one could argue Simmons has been “the best version of himself” since the end of October 2023. According to Pro Football Focus, Simmons allowed three combined pressures in the Buckeyes’ final five regular-season games. He also committed just one penalty in those five weeks after committing seven in Ohio State’s first seven games – quick math, that’s one penalty a game.

In April, Simmons attributed his improvement to his increased “awareness,” his “chemistry” with Jackson and his practice reps against “the best of the best,” Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau. This fall, Day hopes Simmons will continue to develop in those three areas. When reflecting on where Simmons was at this time in August 2023, Day said Simmons is already ahead of the curve.

“To think about where he was a year ago, we’re lightyears away from that in understanding scheme, schematics, day-to-day culture and what it takes to be a Buckeye,” Day said. “He’s got a whole year under his belt. We’re gonna need him to play great. I mean, if we’re gonna reach our goals, we need him to be a huge contributor. He has to be a big part of what we do.”

Time to shine, Jimmy!

 “THERE’S REALLY NOTHING THAT AFFECTS HIM.” Add Devin Brown to the list of Buckeyes who have praised Jeremiah Smith this offseason. On Tuesday, the Ohio State quarterback complimented Smith several times, calling the wide receiver – that is, a freshman wide receiver who has yet to play in a game – “a pro” in each of those instances.

“He handles (his work) like a pro every day,” Brown said. “There’s really nothing that affects him. He’s kind of steady on and doesn’t think about anything else. He just loves to play ball.”

From his in-game performances at Chaminade-Madonna Prep to his practice performances at Ohio State, it’s clear Smith has on-field potential. However, it’s been Smith’s efforts off the field that have impressed Brown the most.

“For only being a freshman, for how gifted he is, for how strong he is – no matter what anybody says about all this hype and all the talent he has – the dude works hard,” Brown said. “He works really, really hard.”

That hard work resulted in Ohio State’s elite weight room label, “Iron Buckeye,” which Marotti presents to a select number of players who demonstrate “unquestionable training, dedication, determination, discipline, toughness and leadership” in offseason workouts. 

“He’s an Iron Buckeye,” Brown said. “That’s never happened as a freshman. He is the first true freshman to ever do that. That’s just a testament to who he is as a person and who he is as a player. He’s taken a huge step even from the winter, so I can’t wait for him to get on the field.”

The first true freshman to ever do that…

Get used to hearing that phrase attached to Smith’s name this fall.

 JACY SHELDON, PIONEER. Former Ohio State women’s basketball star Jacy Sheldon signed a shoe deal with Holo Footwear on Tuesday. While Holo is not Nike, Adidas, Under Armor, New Balance or Puma, the company offers its partners a unique deal in addition to signature shoes: ownership stake.

Yes, as a Holo Footwear athlete, Sheldon is now one of the company’s minority owners.

“We’ve been bullish about supporting women’s sports and changing the narrative on women’s sports and compensation and partnerships. This is a little grain of salt that we can bring to the table,” Holo president Yuri Vega told Footwear News this week.

Sheldon is the second NBA or WNBA athlete to sign with Holo Footwear, along with Cleveland Cavaliers small forward Isaac Okoro. Vega said he and his brother, Rommel, aligned with Sheldon over “family values,” which Sheldon showed when the Vega brothers connected with her at a dinner in Dallas last month. At the dinner, the Vega brothers revealed initial designs for Sheldon’s signature shoe. They also showed her an iteration of Okoro’s signature shoe, specifically made for her. The latter design featured DON’T EVER GIVE UP on the strap, a quote Sheldon’s sister, Emmy, cheers before each of her games.

“From the very first interaction, it was clear that Holo not only talks about their core values of family, loyalty, grit, purpose, leadership and being fearless, but they live it. This alignment of values with my own mission of making a difference on and off the court made it a perfect match,” Sheldon told FN. “Holo felt like a natural extension of who I am and what I strive to achieve, both personally and professionally.”

With her signature shoe still in development, Sheldon has worn four iterations of Okoro’s shoe. As Holo’s design team works to create Sheldon’s shoe, the Vega brothers said Holo will prioritize keeping Sheldon moving fast on the court, a part of her game Ohio State and Dallas Wings fans know makes her special.

“The shoe's design will represent my values, journey and personality. From the color scheme to the unique details, each aspect will be meant to inspire athletes who share my passion for the game,” Sheldon told FN. “The shoe will be incredibly lightweight, allowing for maximum speed and agility, helping you play at your best every time you step onto the court. I’m excited to share the shoes with athletes who are passionate about their game and determined to push their limits.”

I love it. I love it. I love it.

Still, I have one question: will the shoes come in men’s sizes?

Asking for a friend.

 SONG OF THE DAY. “Immigrant Song” – Led Zeppelin.

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