To celebrate Christmas, this Skull Session will be a little different.
Have no fear. We will still discuss Ohio State football. However, instead of the X-and-Os, Jimmys-and-Joes of the Buckeyes' win over Tennessee or their future rematch with Oregon in the Rose Bowl, I think it would be fun to reflect on three gifts Ohio State received in 2024. After all, there's so much to be thankful for in this season. That includes the Buckeyes! Before I share them, I have a message:
RELOAD THE CLIP. I know, I know. You reload a magazine. Don't shoot the messenger here – ba dum tsssss.
Ohio State football received its best present in 2024 when its senior class returned for another season in the Scarlet and Gray. Jack Sawyer and Cody Simon deserve credit for the movement, which saw TreVeyon Henderson, Emeka Egbuka, Donovan Jackson, JT Tuimoloau, Tyleik Williams, Ty Hamilton, Denzel Burke, Jordan Hancock and Lathan Ransom pass on the NFL draft to spend another year in Columbus and win a pair of Gold Pants, a conference championship and national title.
While those seniors (and their teammates) failed to beat [REDACTED] and reach the Big Ten Championship Game this season, each of them has a crucial role in Ohio State's run for a national championship.
They proved that in the Tennessee matchup, in which Henderson had 134 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns, Egbuka had five catches for 81 yards, Jackson blocked his tail off, Sawyer and Tuimoloau had the best combined performance of their careers, Williams and Hamilton shut down the interior... *inhale* *exhale* *inhale* *exhale* ... Simon led the team with 12 tackles, Burke and Hancock clamped the Volunteers' receivers and Ransom, as he often does, flew around the field like a predator missile. They will continue to prove it in the Oregon matchup.
As Sawyer told the ESPN camera on Saturday, "They counted us out, but we're right here, baby."
"They counted us out, but we're right here baby" - Jack Sawyer pic.twitter.com/cTUOJIRk20
— Adam King (@AdamKing10TV) December 22, 2024
DING, DONG, THE WITCH IS DEAD. Ohio State received its second-best present in 2024 when seven-time national champion Nick Saban retired from his role as Alabama’s head coach.
As soon as Saban’s retirement became official, Ohio State infiltrated the South like Ulysses S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman in the Civil War. (I love that this is the second time I’ve mentioned them this week.)
The Buckeyes pursued Alabama transfers first.
The Big Ones, too!
When Caleb Downs entered the transfer portal, head coach Ryan Day, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, cornerbacks coach Tim Walton and new safeties coach Matt Guerrieri boarded a private plane to speak with the National Freshman of the Year in person. Within a week, those coaches landed a commitment from Downs (not before Downs could prank Day on FaceTime, however) in the transfer portal win of the offseason, as Downs was the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year, a Jim Thorpe Award finalist, a Bednarik Award finalist and a unanimous All-American this season.
Next came Julian Sayin, the top-ranked quarterback in the 2024 class who committed to Alabama over Ohio State, USC, Texas and dozens of other Power Four programs. Saban retired a week after Sayin arrived in Tuscaloosa, offering the Buckeyes another chance to land him. Ironically, Bill O’Brien made the difference the second time around. He convinced Sayin to commit to Ohio State before becoming the head coach at Boston College three weeks later. So, O’Brien didn’t do much in Columbus, but he did help them land their future QB1!
The Buckeyes pursued Alabama high school prospects next.
The Big Ones, too!
Soon after Saban retired, Ohio State landed five-star cornerback Na’eem Offord (now at Oregon) and four-star defensive lineman Zion Grady from the Cotton State. Later, on Dec. 4, the Buckeyes flipped four-star running back Anthony Rogers, an Alabama native who had been committed to the Crimson Tide since June 2023.
Ohio State can thank Saban’s retirement for all of those wins.
It can also thank Saban for Seth McLaughlin. The reason I didn’t include him above is that the Buckeyes didn’t land McLaughlin as a result of the coach’s retirement, as he entered after the Crimson Tide’s Rose Bowl loss to [REDACTED] while Saban was still Alabama’s coach. McLaughlin’s commitment to Ohio State, which Alabama and other college football fans ridiculed at the time, turned out to be a massive win for the program, as the veteran center was the Rimington Trophy winner and a consensus All-American this season.
FALL ON YOUR KNEES! Ohio State received its third-best present when Jeremiah Smith arrived on campus in January.
Remember how Day reacted when Smith signed with the Buckeyes? Remember how he almost fainted?
That reaction was warranted.
This season, Smith has been the best one of the best receivers in college football... as a freshman. In 13 appearances, Smith has led Ohio State (Wide Receiver U) with 63 catches, 1,037 yards and 13 total touchdowns... as a freshman. This past weekend, he hauled in six catches for 103 yards and two scores in a College Football Playoff game... as a freshman.
What more can I write?
The No. 1 overall prospect in the 2024 class has been as advertised. He crams the box score, shatters records and wins awards. He accomplishes all of it with some of the most impressive catches you'll ever see on a football field – college or professional.
WHAT DID I MISS? Seniors, Saban and Smith are three three gifts I chose, but there's so much more to be thankful for with Ohio State football. Tell me what I missed in the comments. I'll read them after I open some non-Ohio State football presents located underneath the Christmas tree. See you tomorrow.
SONG OF THE DAY. "Thankful" - Josh Groban.
CUT TO THE CHASE. Burt, the huge Australian crocodile who had a cameo in "Crocodile Dundee," dies at 90... Caitlin Clark wins AP Female Athlete of the Year, Shohei Ohtani wins AP Male Athlete of the Year... Watch dogs line up at pizzeria's treat-to-go window... "Stressed" Amazon driver abandons 80 packages in Massachusetts woods during holiday shipping rush... Centuries-old angels uncovered at Boston church made famous by Paul Revere.
Photo Credits: John David Mercer/Imagn, Adam Cairns/The Columbus Dispatch
