Skull Session: Ohio State Dominates ESPN’s Top 100 Players List, TreVeyon Henderson Belongs in the Buckeye Pantheon and the World Looked Different a Decade Ago

Welcome to the Skull Session.

The Ws just keep coming for Ohio State sports.

The Week of Ws continues for Ohio Statehttps://t.co/kv1LnBEZ6c pic.twitter.com/uiYv8YSO4s
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) January 24, 2025

Have a good Friday.

10 PERCENT OF THE TOP 100. When ESPN ranked its top 100 college football players this season, its college football staffers used this as a lede for the article: “Ohio State won the national championship. Ohio State had the most talented roster in the country. The first is a fact. The second is, technically, an opinion – one shared by everyone on ESPN’s committee selecting the top 100 players of the 2024-25 season.”

Ohio State players made up 10 percent of the Worldwide Leader’s top 100, as 10 Buckeyes ranged from No. 5 (Jeremiah Smith) to No. 83 (TreVeyon Henderson) in the rankings. The committee admitted that the number is “probably too conservative,” as it was forced to leave the likes of Quinshon Judkins, Tyleik Williams, Cody Simon, Denzel Burke and Jordan Hancock off the list.

“Ohio State carved out a huge chunk of real estate,” the staffers wrote, “but the 90 other slots included a plethora of big names (17 quarterbacks) and lesser-known players who had impressive seasons (11 Group of Five players). We prioritized players who proved their greatness over the full season.”

Without further ado, here’s where the 10 Buckeyes appeared in ESPN’s top 100:

No. 83 - TreVeyon Henderson

Preseason rank: 35

Despite splitting carries with Quinshon Judkins, Henderson had a huge senior season. He averaged 7.1 yards per carry, which leads all Power 4 running backs. Henderson also saved one of the best stretches of his career for Ohio State's playoff run, totaling five touchdowns. He rushed for 1,016 yards and 10 touchdowns. Has also added 284 receiving yards on 27 receptions and another touchdown.

No. 82 - Seth McLaughlin

Preseason rank: NR

Though he missed Ohio State's last two regular-season games with a ruptured Achilles tendon, McLaughlin was named a consensus All-American and won the Rimington Trophy, given to the most outstanding center in college football. McLaughlin, who transferred to Ohio State from Alabama, became the fourth Ohio State center to win the Rimington. He anchored an offense up front that ranked second in the Big Ten with 37.2 points per game.

No. 78 - Emeka Egbuka

Preseason rank: 28

Though often overshadowed by Jeremiah Smith, Egbuka has delivered a terrific final season in Columbus. A team captain, he posted a career-best 81 receptions to go along with 1,011 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. In the playoffs, he led the Buckeyes with 21 receptions, catching at least five passes in each of Ohio State's four playoff wins to win the national championship. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Egbuka as the No. 4 receiver prospect in the upcoming NFL draft.

No. 60 - Lathan Ransom

Preseason rank: NR

Despite being overshadowed by fellow safety Caleb Downs, Ransom earned first-team All-Big Ten honors. He also had one of the biggest plays in Ohio State's semifinal win over Texas. On second-and-goal from the Ohio State 1-yard line, he dropped Texas running back Quintrevion Wisner for a 7-yard loss. That set the table for Jack Sawyer's game-clinching forced fumble he returned for a touchdown. Ransom ranks fourth on the Buckeyes with 72 tackles to go along with a sack, an interception and two pass deflections.

No. 57 - Will Howard

Preseason rank: NR

Howard saved the best stretch of his career for Ohio State's playoff run. He has posted a QBR of 96.4 in the Buckeyes' four playoff games, easily the best mark of any playoff passer. Howard has also brought an edge to the Buckeyes, with teammate Jack Sawyer calling him the "most resilient guy" he has ever met. Howard ranks second with a QBR of 89.6, trailing only Heisman finalist and potential No. 1 NFL draft pick, Cam Ward of Miami. Howard passed for 4,010 passing yards, 35 TDs with 10 INTs while completing 73.1% of his passes. He has also rushed for seven touchdowns.

No. 35 - JT Tuimoloau

Preseason rank: NR

A former top-five recruit with an incredible skill set, Tuimoloau had confounded many around Ohio State, because of inconsistent performances. But he saved his best for last, becoming one of the nation's most disruptive pass rushers, especially during Ohio State's CFP run. He recorded 5.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss in wins against Tennessee, Oregon and Texas, and recorded 21.5 tackles for loss, third-most in all of college football. Tuimoloau earned All-Big Ten honors and has recorded half of his career sacks total this season (12.5).

No. 32 - Donovan Jackson

Preseason rank: 57

Ohio State's offensive line had a bumpy situation because of injuries, but things could have been significantly worse without Jackson's versatility and talent. After earning All-Big Ten honors at guard in 2022 and 2023, Jackson shifted to left tackle midway through the season, as starter Josh Simmons and backup Zen Michalski both went down with injuries. Jackson went on to earn All-Big Ten honors again, consistently preventing sacks on quarterback Will Howard and helping the offense hit its stride for its national title run.

No. 22 Jack Sawyer

Preseason rank: 33

Sawyer delivered one of the iconic defensive plays in Ohio State history in the Buckeyes' 28-14 victory over Texas in the playoff semifinal. The senior sacked quarterback Quinn Ewers, forcing a fumble that he then returned 83 yards for the game-clinching touchdown -- the longest fumble return in Cotton Bowl and CFP history. Sawyer is a major reason the Buckeyes won their first national championship since 2014. He also became the first FBS player in a decade to record a sack with multiple pass breakups in three straight games, according to ESPN Research, all coming during Ohio State's playoff run.

No. 18 Caleb Downs

Preseason rank: 11

Downs was arguably the most significant transfer addition for Ohio State, which picked up a safety who started throughout his true freshman year for former Alabama coach Nick Saban. He became a consensus All-America selection in his first year as a Buckeye, while also earning the Big Ten's defensive back of the year award. Downs delivered highlights almost every week, displaying advanced knowledge of the game for a younger player, as well as superior talent. He helped not only in pass coverage but as an effective run stopper, and his 79-yard punt return touchdown against Indiana created separation in an eventual blowout. He ranked third on the team with 81 total tackles.

No. 5 - Jeremiah Smith

Preseason rank: NR

As Ohio State became the nation's preeminent wide receiver program, no freshman entered his first season with as much buzz as Smith. His practice exploits were legendary, and Buckeyes fans and opposing teams found out why. Smith broke all of Cris Carter's Ohio State freshman receiving records, and his 15 touchdowns and 1,315 receiving yards both rank in the top five for the school's single-season rankings. He won Big Ten awards for top freshman and top receiver and Rose Bowl MVP honors with 187 yards and two touchdowns against Oregon, which marked only the fifth time a player has had 175 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a CFP game.

This team.

This team was so talented.

It will be a blast to see Buckeye Nation celebrate with them in the Shoe on Sunday!

THEIR BEST FOR LAST. Ohio State littered more than ESPN’s top 100 players list this week. The Buckeyes also dominated The Athletic’s All-College Football Playoff teams. Of course, that should be expected as the tournament’s winner.

Offensive MVP: QB - Will Howard

Howard faced questions aplenty entering the postseason after a loss to Michigan, but the Kansas State transfer had an incredible four-game stretch to the championship. He completed 75.2 percent of his passes for 1,150 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions and saved his best performance for last. Against Notre Dame, Howard completed 17 of 21 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns. He also was responsible for 18 of Ohio State’s 21 first downs, including eight on the ground.

RB - Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson

It’s impossible to pick between the two because they had equal value. Both surpassed 1,000 rushing yards this year, and only 10 yards separated them in the postseason (Henderson with 265, Judkins with 255). Judkins scored seven touchdowns in the CFP, including three in the championship game, while Henderson had five.

WR - Jeremiah Smith

It’s not hyperbolic to suggest Smith is the most impactful freshman non-quarterback in the last 40 years. In four Playoff games, Smith caught 19 passes for 381 yards and five touchdowns, and no defense could contain him in single coverage. That Smith has two more years remaining is astounding and terrifying for Big Ten defenses.

OL - Donovan Jackson

Injuries forced Jackson to shift from guard to left tackle, and he gradually became more comfortable throughout the season. Then, in the postseason, his grades from Pro Football Focus improved each week, culminating in his best performance at tackle against Notre Dame.

Defensive MVP: DL - JT Tuimoloau

No pass rusher was more prolific in the postseason than Tuimoloau, who produced 6.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss. Offenses slanted their protections toward him all season, yet even with an ankle injury, Tuimoloau was at his best in the Playoff. He was just as effective against the run, with 23 tackles.

DL - Jack Sawyer

With 4.5 sacks in the postseason, Sawyer was omnipresent, especially with three breakups against Oregon in the Rose Bowl. But he’ll forever be known for his sack, forced fumble and 83-yard scoop-and-score against former roommate Quinn Ewers to clinch a win against Texas in the semifinals.

LB - Cody Simon

Simon was everywhere all postseason with 38 tackles, including 6.5 for loss and 3.5 sacks. Most importantly, he directed the Buckeyes defense against Oregon’s wide-open offense in the Rose Bowl win, recording 11 tackles, three TFLs, two sacks and a pass breakup. He led Ohio State with eight tackles in the title game win over Notre Dame.

LB - Sonny Styles

A former safety, Styles has perfectly fit the Buckeyes defense with his ability to cover tight ends and running backs while playing slamball near the line of scrimmage. He ended up with 24 tackles and had a pair of sacks in the final two games. By far his best game came against Texas when he had nine tackles, three TFLs, one sack, one forced fumble and one breakup.

S - Caleb Downs

The glue of the Buckeyes secondary, Downs was pivotal in each round, from his seven tackles against Tennessee to his three pass breakups against Oregon. His interception against Texas sealed the Cotton Bowl win, and he totaled 10 tackles over the final two games.

K - Jayden Fielding

Fielding hit 4-of-5 field goal attempts in the postseason. Against Notre Dame, he connected on two, including the championship-clincher from 33 yards with 26 seconds left. His only miss came from 56 yards against Tennessee on the first half’s final play in 16-degree weather.

Man, after Fielding missed two kicks in The Game, who thought he would bounce back with performances good enough to make him the No. 1 kicker in the CFP?

I certainly didn’t.

Cheers to Fielding and the rest of the Buckeyes who showed out in the postseason.

TOUCHDOWN TREY. This is an appreciation section for TreVeyon Henderson.

A five-star prospect from Hopewell, Virginia, Henderson established himself as Ohio State’s lead running back as a freshman in 2021. That year, he broke Archie Griffin’s freshman single-game rushing yards record with 270 against Tulsa and Maurice Clarett’s freshman single-season touchdowns record with 19.

Poised to become one of college football’s best ballcarriers for the rest of his career, Henderson tore ligaments in his foot as a sophomore, limiting him to eight appearances, most of which involved him being less than 100 percent. Henderson also suffered from a broken rib in his bounce-back junior season, forcing him to miss three games – though, when Henderson returned to full strength, he also returned to his freshman form, collecting 128 touches for 815 yards (6.36 yards per touch) and six touchdowns in Ohio State’s final six matchups.

This past offseason, Henderson had to choose between the NFL and another season at Ohio State. If Henderson declared, he could be the No. 1 running back selected in the draft. If Henderson returned, he would share a backfield with Quinshon Judkins, a two-time first-team All-SEC running back at Ole Miss.

Henderson chose the latter, a decision Ryan Day praised him for several times.

“When Quinshon went into the portal, the first thing I did was talk to TreVeyon and ask, ‘What are your thoughts?’ He was unbelievable. ‘If you think it helps the team, Coach, then let’s do it,’” Day shared in May 2023. “I think TreVeyon’s leadership so far this year as he’s transitioned into his fourth year in the program has been tremendous.”

The head coach added: “I have a feeling he’s gonna have an unbelievable season.”

He was correct.

In his final season with the Buckeyes, Henderson carried the ball 144 times for 1,016 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also collected 27 receptions for 284 yards and one score as a receiver out of the backfield.

Still, the box score doesn’t paint a complete picture of Henderson’s impact in 2024.

Remember this?

This TreVeyon Henderson block was wild. What a hit. pic.twitter.com/pfJJZBNji7
— Chase Brown (@chaseabrown__) August 31, 2024

There’s more where that came from – I just don’t have the clips to show them off.

“TreVeyon will be a tremendous pro because not only does he do a good job of running the ball, but he protects the ball at a high level, and he’s a threat with the ball in his hands as a receiver,” Day said of Henderson after the Cotton Bowl, where the running back scored a crucial 75-yard touchdown before halftime.

I have to correct Coach on one of his points. Henderson doesn’t protect the ball at a high level; he protects the ball at the highest level. Across 47 appearances in which he collected 667 touches for Ohio State, Henderson never lost a fumble. He fumbled the ball twice – one that Nicholas Petit-Frere recovered against Tulsa and one he recovered himself against Maryland – but he never lost a fumble in college.

That’s one of the most absurd stats I’ve ever seen.

With a career full of home runs and pancakes, Henderson deserves a seat in the Buckeye Pantheon as one of the greatest Ohio State running backs of all time.

He will be missed next season!

10-YEAR TIME CAPSULE. Before Monday, Ohio State’s most recent national championship came on Jan. 12, 2015, after Urban Meyer, Cardale Jones and Ezekiel Elliott led the Buckeyes to wins over Alabama and Oregon in the inaugural College Football Playoff.

Since a lot can change in a decade, I’ve decided to look back at some of the top pop culture trends from 10 years ago:

Billboard’s Top 10 Songs

Uptown Funk, Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
Blank Space, Taylor Swift
Take Me to Church, Hozier
Thinking Out Loud, Ed Sheeran
Lips Are Movin, Meghan Trainor
All About That Bass, Meghan Trainor
Shake It Off, Taylor Swift
I’m Not The Only One, Sam Smith
Jealous, Nick Jonas
Animals, Maroon 5

Top 10 Movies at the Box Office

American Sniper
Taken 3
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
Into the Woods
Unbroken
Paddington
The Wedding Ringer
The Imitation Game
Selma
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb

Top 10 TV Shows (Composite of Ratings and Reviews)

Game of Thrones, HBO
The Big Bang Theory, CBS
Modern Family, ABC
Mad Men, AMC
True Detective, HBO
Parks and Recreation, NBC
NCIS, CBS
Orange Is the New Black, Netflix
The Americans, FX
Broad City, Comedy Central