Welcome to the Skull Session.
Parris Campbell, Super Bowl champion.
Parris Campbell becomes the 33rd former Ohio State player to win a Super Bowl as the Philadelphia Eagles blow out the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. https://t.co/V1n6AMvMX2
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) February 10, 2025
Have a good Monday.
THE BEST OF THE BEST. Ohio State had the best roster in college football this past season. Three weeks ago, ESPN provided evidence to that claim when it ranked 10 Buckeyes in its top 100 players in 2024. Over the weekend, Pro Football Focus provided more, as PFF ranked an FBS-best 12 Buckeyes in its top 100:
No. 8 - WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
Smith entered Columbus as the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2024 class and the highest-rated wide receiver to ever come out of high school. And somehow, he’s already lived up to the hype after just one collegiate season. Smith was the most valuable receiver in the nation according to PFF’s wins above average metric while his 15 receiving touchdowns led all Power Four ones. Smith will not only enter his sophomore year as easily the best receiver in America, he’ll be the best player in college football.
No. 10 - S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Downs improved upon his incredible freshman year at Alabama and led Ohio State’s defense on its national championship run. His 88.9 overall grade ranked ninth among qualified safeties, and he was one of just two among that group with 85.0-plus grades in run defense and coverage. Downs enters 2025 as the best defensive player in college football.
No. 12 - EDGE Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
Sawyer was the heart and soul of the Buckeyes’ national championship run while still performing like one of the best edge defenders in the country. He was the second-most-valuable edge in the nation according to PFF’s wins above average metric, while his 63 pressures were fourth in America. He also made the biggest play of Ohio State’s season when he strip-sacked Quinn Ewers on a fourth-and-goal before returning it 83 yards for a touchdown to clinch a spot in the national title game with under three minutes left.
No. 37 - QB Will Howard, Ohio State
Armed with an elite unit of weapons at his disposal, Howard was one of the nation’s most improved passers this season. He finished ninth in the FBS with an 85.7 passing grade while leading Ohio State to a national championship. He saved his best for last, of course, as his 88.8 overall grade against Notre Dame in the title game was the best of his career.
No. 46 - LB Cody Simon, Ohio State
Simon finished 2024 as the most valuable linebacker in the nation according to PFF’s wins above average metric. He was particularly dominant as a run defender, finishing third among FBS linebackers with a 90.8 run-defense grade. Simon also sacked the quarterback five times, tied for fourth among all linebackers in the country.
No. 50 - RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Henderson played a crucial role in Ohio State’s national championship run. He carried the nation’s fifth-best rushing grade at 91.8. He also finished sixth with 7.0 yards per carry. Henderson’s efficiency, explosiveness, and receiving ability were the perfect complement to Quinshon Judkins for the Buckeyes’ offense.
No. 52 - EDGE JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State
Tuimoloau led the Big Ten with 15 sacks this year as he formed one half of an elite edge defender duo along with Jack Sawyer. He also set a new career-high with an outstanding 87.3 run-defense grade that placed him seventh among qualified edge defenders. Given his output across his four years at Ohio State, Tuimoloau will likely see a top-50 selection in this year’s draft.
No. 54 - RB Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
The Judkins addition to the Buckeyes gave the offense an elite running back duo that couldn’t be stopped. He finished the year with an elite 90.0 rushing grade, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. He also showed out in the national championship game with a 100-yard rushing performance and three total touchdowns.
No. 58 - WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
Egbuka wrapped up his four-year career in Columbus with a national championship and is now the school’s career record-holder in receptions (205) and receiving yards (2,868). He finished his senior season as the fourth-most-valuable wide receiver in the nation according to PFF’s wins above-average metric.
No. 74 - OT Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
While not as flashy as some of his other teammates on this list, Jackson was still one of the most important parts of the Buckeyes’ national championship team. Due to injuries, the senior was forced to move from his natural position of left guard to left tackle midway through the season. He earned an 86.0 pass-blocking grade in the College Football Playoff with no sacks, no hits and just two pressures allowed across 119 pass-blocking snaps.
No. 95 - DT Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
Williams’ talent in run defense shined again this season as his 88.6 run defense grade placed him eighth among qualified defensive tackles. His effort between the tackles was a huge reason that Ohio State finished second in the FBS in run defense grade. Williams could hear his name called in the latter half of the draft’s first round in April.
No. 100 - S Lathan Ransom, Ohio State
Ransom played an important role at safety for the Buckeyes this season, especially in run defense. In fact, his 93.5 run-defense grade led all Power Four defenders regardless of position. His ability to support the run and move around the formation as a former cornerback brought plenty of value to Ohio State’s national title run.
Man, the 2024 Buckeyes were special.
I’ll miss this team.
WAY-TOO-EARLY TOP 25. It’s been a while since Ohio State won the national championship, which means it's been a while since news outlets released their offseason top 25 polls for next fall. Over the weekend, I decided to look over where ESPN, USA TODAY, Sporting News, Pro Football Focus, CBS Sports and The Athletic ranked the Buckeyes in their polls. (Spoiler: Their rank ranged from No. 1 to No. 6).
ESPN: No. 1
After winning the program's third national championship since 2002, the Buckeyes are going to undergo a bit of a makeover -- but so are most of the other Big Ten contenders. The core group of seniors who came back in 2024 -- led by Sawyer, Henderson, Egbuka and others -- will be missed. Julian Sayin, a five-star prospect who transferred from Alabama, will probably be QB1 after Devin Brown and Air Noland entered the transfer portal. Sayin will have the luxury of throwing to Smith, the best receiver in the FBS, and the Buckeyes picked up tailback CJ Donaldson (West Virginia) and tight end Max Klare (Purdue) from the portal. Ohio State's offense will be even better if RB Quinshon Judkins decides to come back. Some younger players will have to step up on the defensive line and in the secondary, but at least Downs is coming back. — Mark Schlabach
Behind Ohio State in top 10: Texas, Penn State, Notre Dame, Georgia, Oregon, Clemson, LSU, BYU and South Carolina
Ranked opponents on Ohio State’s 2025 schedule: No. 2 Texas (Aug. 30), at No. 13 Illinois (Oct. 11), No. 3 Penn State (Nov. 1) and at No. 21 Michigan (Nov. 29)
USA TODAY: No. 1
The Buckeyes are ready to reload and make another run at the national title. QB Julian Sayin is projected to replace Will Howard and throw to what will again be an elite WR room. The defense will need to be almost completely rebuilt, which is a definite concern despite the way Ohio State has recruited the position. But there are building blocks on every level of the defense and one of the nation’s best overall players in DB Caleb Downs. The opener at home against Texas will be one of the biggest games of the year. — Paul Myerberg and Erick Smith
Behind Ohio State in the top 10: Texas, Alabama, Penn State, Georgia, LSU, Clemson, Notre Dame, Tennessee and Arizona State
Ranked opponents on Ohio State’s 2025 schedule: No. 2 Texas, No. 12 Illinois and No. 1 Penn State
Sporting News: No. 2
The Buckeyes' all-in approach worked – with the exception of the loss to Michigan. The first question is at quarterback, and five-star Julian Sayin could get that opportunity. Jeremiah Smith is back and should build on a fantastic season, and he is paired with Carnell Tate. West Virginia transfer running back CJ Donaldson averaged 4.9 yards per carry the last three seasons with the Mountaineers. The injuries at offensive line this season gave experience to what will be a veteran offensive line, and Caleb Downs will be the key to a rebuilt defense. Ryan Day has kept the machine moving in the right direction, but the losing streak to Michigan still stands. — Bill Bender
Ahead of Ohio State in top 10: Texas
Behind Ohio State in the top 10: Georgia, Penn State, Oregon, Notre Dame, Clemson, Alabama, LSU and Miami
Ranked opponents on Ohio State’s 2025 schedule: No. 1 Texas, at No. 13 Illinois, No. 4 Penn State and at No. 18 Michigan
Pro Football Focus: No. 3
Next year’s version of Ohio State will look much different from the one that just delivered the program its first national championship in a decade. Even so, the Buckeyes still return arguably the two best players in college football entering next season in wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs. Smith finished his true freshman season as the most valuable wide receiver in America according to PFF’s wins above average metric while Downs led all safeties in that same metric. All eyes will be on redshirt freshman Julian Sayin next year as the projected man under center. He was a top-10 recruit and the No. 2 quarterback in the 2024 cycle. If he lives up to that five-star billing and some uber-talented youngsters step up elsewhere, Ohio State can go back-to-back. — Max Chadwick
Ahead of Ohio State in the top 10: Texas and Oregon
Behind Ohio State in the top 10: Penn State, Notre Dame, Clemson, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and Texas A&M
Ranked opponents on Ohio State’s 2025 schedule: No. 1 Texas, No. 4 Penn State and No. 25 Michigan
CBS Sports: No. 4
There will be a battle, but in all likelihood former five-star Julian Sayin takes over at quarterback in place of the departing Will Howard. He'll have an NFL-ready Jeremiah Smith to throw to. If you want a referendum on the season, pay attention to the opener -- Texas comes to Ohio State in Week 1 for a CFP semifinal rematch as the Buckeyes look to begin a quest for consecutive national titles. — Dennis Dodd
Ahead of Ohio State in the top 10: Texas, Georgia and Miami
Behind Ohio State in the top 10: Penn State, Notre Dame, Oregon, Clemson, Tennessee and LSU
Ranked opponents on Ohio State’s 2025 schedule: No. 1 Texas, No. 15 Illinois and No. 5 Penn State
The Athletic: No. 6
Ohio State has not won fewer than 11 games in a full season since 2011, so this ranking will seem low. But after going all in with a senior-heavy team this year, coach Ryan Day may return only seven starters. Five-star redshirt freshman Julian Sayin takes his turn as QB1, and it helps knowing he has Smith and Tate. On defense, a lot of young players will be thrown into the fire in the season-opener against Texas. — Stewart Mandel
Ahead of Ohio State in the top 10: Penn State, Texas, Notre Dame, LSU and Clemson
Behind Ohio State in the top 10: Georgia, Oregon, Arizona State and BYU
Ranked opponents on Ohio State’s 2025 schedule: No. 2 Texas, No. 12 Illinois and No. 1 Penn State
It’s hard not to rank the defending national champions as the No. 1 team in the nation; however, with the amount of talent Ohio State must replace next season – 15 players from the 2024 team could be drafted in April – I think the Buckeyes will be ranked No. 2, No. 3 or No. 4 in the preseason poll. I’d love to see a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup in Columbus on Aug. 30, whether its Ohio State first and Texas second, or vice versa.
NEVER TELL ME THE ODDS. No matter where Ohio State ranks in the preseason AP Poll, sportsbooks love the Buckeyes' chances of a Big Ten title and a second consecutive national championship in 2025.
According to FanDuel, Ohio State’s odds (+170) rank ahead of Oregon (+230) and Penn State (+350) for the Big Ten title. The sportsbook also sees Michigan (+800) as a contender for the conference crown, while Indiana (+2500) rounds out the top five and Nebraska (+4500), USC (+4500), Iowa (+5000) and Washington (+6000) round out the top 10. Man, FanDuel has no respect for Bert!
The Buckeyes’ national championship odds also rank first on FanDuel, as Ohio State (+600) checks in ahead of Texas (+650), Oregon (+650), Georgia (+700) and Penn State (+800). The remainder of the top consists of Notre Dame (+1200), Tennessee (+1600), Alabama (+1600), Clemson (+1800) and LSU (+2000).
Drake continues to take Ls as Kendrick Lamar won Grammys and performed at the Super Bowl. Nevertheless, no amount of Ls can impact how I feel about the banger that is Back to Back.
Going back to back.
Yeah, going back to back.
BUCKEYETHON. Ohio State’s BuckeyeThon occurred on campus over the weekend. The student-run event, which has a mission to “create awareness and raise funds for children with cancer,” raised $853,701.13 to support cancer research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus.
The incredible Buckeye community came together for the annual @BuckeyeThon Dance Marathon, raising $853,710.13 to support cancer research at @NationwideKids! pic.twitter.com/dAuR2ZalcS
— Ohio State (@OhioState) February 9, 2025
Pat McAfee of ESPN donated $100,000 to BuckeyeThon in 2024. McAfee pledged the funds after a student named Carson Baer missed two field goal attempts during College GameDay’s first appearance on Ohio State’s campus this past fall.
ONE MORE KICK
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 23, 2024
FOR $500,000
THIS KID STINKS
Ill still donate $100,000 #CollegeGameDay https://t.co/d0TYvDGVPW pic.twitter.com/9nRLjiOOEe
Cheers to all who donated to BuckeyeThon. It’s a great cause – one worthy of praise!
SONG OF THE DAY. Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Halftime Show.
Kendrick Lamar's Full Super Bowl Halftime Show performance #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/OxZED0YXDn
— popculture (@notgwendalupe) February 10, 2025
CUT TO THE CHASE. Randy Moss makes an emotional return to the ESPN set following his cancer treatment... The number of venomous snakes removed from this Australian yard will make you shudder... New Mexico courtroom devolves into brawl as 3 people rush defendant in homicide case... One great photo from every Super Bowl in history... U.K.'s foreign office cat Palmerston shows up for duty in Bermuda.
