Skull Session: Columbus is a Hockey Town, Shedeur Sanders Defends Will Howard, Quinshon Judkins Improves His Draft Stock and Emeka Egbuka Builds the Perfect Ohio State Receiver

By Chase Brown on March 3, 2025 at 5:00 am
Brutus Buckeye at the NHL Stadium Series game
Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch
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Welcome to the Skull Session.

Wow, what a weekend in Columbus!

Between the NHL Stadium Series at Ohio Stadium to the NFL Combine and other miscellaneous news, I had too much #content to choose from for the Skull Session, which is a rare occurrence in the offseason. So, in honor of the news that overflows in abundance, we'll kick off the week with a Rapid Fire Skull Session.

 A MAGICAL NIGHT IN COLUMBUS. Over the weekend, Andy Anders and I attended the NHL Stadium Series matchup between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings at the Horseshoe.

Over 24 hours later, I am still in awe of what occurred off the banks of the Olentangy River.

The atmosphere was incredible.

The game was incredible.

All of it was incredible.

I am thankful to have experienced a once-in-a-lifetime event at Ohio Stadium. However, considering how well the Stadium Series went, I don't think it will turn out to be a once-in-a-lifetime event. Instead, it could be twice? Thrice? More? As far as I'm concerned, the more the merrier!

 "THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART." One of the best parts of the Stadium Series – heck, let's call it the best part of the Stadium Series – was how the NHL and the Blue Jackets honored the Gaudreau family following Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau's tragic deaths in August 2024.

On Saturday, Johnny's wife, Meredith, issued a statement thanking the NHL and its Columbus franchise for the family's inclusion in the event.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart to the NHL, Detroit Red Wings and especially the Columbus Blue Jackets for honoring John in so many ways during the Stadium Series this weekend,” the statement reads. “The management, players, wives and fans from both organizations made my family feel so loved and supported. Thank you most of all for including our children by making them a big part of all the events throughout the weekend. I know John truly appreciates it as much as I do.” 

In addition to the Gaudreau family leading the Blue Jackets into Ohio Stadium and onto the ice Saturday, the Red Wings' players also wore various jerseys from Johnny and Matthew's careers, while the Blue Jackets' players wore "signature Johnny" outfits that included black designer hats, slate blue hoodies (from Avalon Surf Shop in New Jersey), black sweatpants and black UGGs.

“It just reminds us of him,” Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner told The Columbus Dispatch after the game. “That’s why we did it. There are so many days when we’ve seen him come to the rink like that, and we have some pictures where he’s pretty much wearing the same thing. It just puts some good memories in our minds, I guess. ... he was with us here tonight and he’s been with us all season.”

 TO THE VICTOR GOES THE SPOILS. Columbus goaltender Elvis Merzļikins stood on his head in the Stadium Series game, collecting 43 saves on 46 shots in the Blue Jackets' 5-3 win over the Red Wings.

As the game's winning goaltender, Merzļikins took home a custom mask ESPN created for the matchup – one that is so cool I had to share it here:

Yeah, that'll look great on Elvis' mantle.

 AN UNEXPECTED ALLIANCE. Will Howard embraced cheers and boos as he threw passes at the NFL Combine.

"Ohio State travels," Howard said. "We're loved and we're hated."

As the responses indicate, Howard's performance at the combine was inconsistent, with some dots and some – well, whatever the opposite of dots is.

Howard also received praise and criticism on social media after his session in Indianapolis. Interestingly, some of that praise came from former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

 WILL HOWARD OR DOONEESE? Howard checked in at 6-foot-4, 236 pounds at the NFL Combine. His other measurables included 9-inch hands and 32-inch arms. As soon as Dan Hope posted that information on Saturday, I remembered when the world learned Joe Burrow had 9-inch hands at the 2020 NFL Combine. People freaked out. Remember that?

Please keep Howard in your thoughts.

 STONK UP. Quinshon Judkins checked in at 6-foot, 221 pounds at the NFL Combine. Then, Judkins ran a 4.48-second 40 and recorded a 38.5-inch vertical and 11-foot broad jump.

Wheeeeeeeeeeew.

That's impressive.

According to Matt Miller of ESPN, Judkins was one of several prospects who boosted his draft stock in Indianapolis. Here's what Miller wrote about the former Ohio State running back this weekend:

I've had Judkins as a top-5 running back since he declared for the draft and I'm feeling pretty good about it after watching him Saturday. He measured in at nearly 6-foot and 221 pounds, a size that meshes well with the physical running style he showed on tape. But he's more than a punisher, as he ran a 4.48 40-yard dash -- an awesome time at his size -- while leaping 38 ½ inches in the vertical and 11-foot in the broad jump. I've had him in the early Round 2 range, and the combine confirmed that.

Early Round 2?

The Cleveland Browns have the No. 33 pick!

Just sayin'!

(Yes, I know the Browns have more pressing issues than running back, but please let me live in delusion. Thanks.)

 THE PERFECT OHIO STATE RECEIVER. I don't know what Emeka Egbuka's measurables were at the NFL Combine. You can look at our NFL Combine Central for that information. But here's what I can share: In an interview with CBS Sports, Egbuka created his perfect Ohio State receiver. His selections were fantastic... (say that again?).

NOTE: Egbuka said, "I'm gonna leave myself out of this conversation... just for humility."

  • Size: Jeremiah Smith
  • Speed: Ted Ginn Jr.
  • Jump ball: Mike Thomas
  • Route runner: Marvin Harrison Jr.
  • Hands: Jaxon Smith-Njigba
  • Strength: David Boston
  • Swagger: Chris Olave

Dang.

Egbuka knows ball.

 GREAT GIG IF YOU CAN GET IT! Over the weekend, Joey Kaufman of The Columbus Dispatch reported that Ohio State compensated former football special teams coordinator Parker Fleming $523,551 in severance over the past 12 months.

Ohio State bought out Fleming from his contract following the 2023 season. He received the substantial severance compensation because he did not earn income in the last year.

In an email to associate athletic director for human resources Krissy Mullins in August 2024, Fleming said he had worked as a volunteer independent contractor watching and evaluating film for teams last season. Fleming said Oregon was to reimburse him for travel expenses, but he had not received other compensation.

Ohio State paid Fleming his buyout in monthly installments through Jan. 31, the date his contract expired. In addition to his contract, Fleming received $57,694 for earned and unused vacation time.

Folks, fired coach remains one of the best jobs in the world.

Coaching is a great gig if you can get it!

 SONG OF THE DAY. "Feel" - Ben Rector.

 CUT TO THE CHASE. From best lead actor to best picture, here's an Oscars 2025 recap... A (Marvel Cinematic) Universe in ruins... Cold-water swimmers in the Czech Republic set a new world record for the largest polar bear dip... Florida Man Games return for Round 2 as teams vie to be the world’s worst superhero... Tough guy, everyman. Gene Hackman pursued anonymity and a private artist life in Santa Fe.

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