Skull Session: Julian Sayin is the Frontrunner to Be QB1, James Peoples is Ready for the Spotlight and Ohio State Women’s Hockey Loses the National Title Game in Heartbreaking Fashion

By Chase Brown on March 24, 2025 at 5:00 am
Julian Sayin
47 Comments

Welcome to the Skull Session.

I would like to personally thank Maryland forward Derik Queen for helping me advance in a March Madness Eliminator. He is the GOAT.

Have a good Monday.

 JULIAN, JULIAN, HE'S OUR MAN! Julian Sayin is the frontrunner to be Ohio State’s QB1 next season.

But don’t tell Billy Fessler that.

“I think we’re a long way away from even talking about how close it is,” Fessler said last week. “Right now, those three guys are really just focused on getting better every single time they step in this building, in the meeting rooms or when they step on the field in practice.”

Sayin also deflected questions that insinuated him being the favorite.

“I don’t listen to the outside noise,” he said. “I’m just focused on getting better, getting ready for Friday’s practice.”

Still, Sayin has worked hard this offseason to put himself in a position to become the starter. So has Lincoln Kienholz. Tavien St. Clair, too.

“I know every single one of them saw that quote by Coach Day, which is pretty awesome,” Fessler said. “It’s so real. It’s who we have to be. We’ve got to be the toughest guys in the building. We’ve got to be the hardest-working guys in the building.”

Will Howard was all that and more for the Buckeyes. According to the handful of quarterbacks and running backs who participated in press conferences on Wednesday, all the coaches, players and staff inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center have rave reviews from the one-year rental from Kansas State.

“Will was a really great leader for this team, and it was fun to watch,” Sayin said. “He was someone everyone could relate to and was liked by everyone. If you went around the Woody and asked about Will Howard, everyone would have good things to say about him. I’m trying to take that approach. It’s definitely not easy, but it’s something I’m working on.” 

Added Fessler: “Will, when it came to intangibles was, I can’t say I’ve been doing this for 35 years or anything crazy like that, but he was by far the best I’ve ever seen do it, Just as far as what he did the best, I think of his complete understanding of the offense, from the run game to the pass game, to the protections, to just understanding the ins and outs and the little defense. … Will built that trust in his teammates by showing that he was extremely competent, that he understood everything. … He grabbed on and grabbed the trust of his teammates. Then, he could start to lead.”

Sayin wants to do the same. But like Howard, he has to earn the trust of his teammates. Sayin said he’ll do that by working as hard as possible this offseason.

“I’m just focused on spring practice and getting better every day,” he said

 MAN OF THE PEOPLES. Ever since he signed on the line that was dotted in December 2023, James Peoples has been the heir of Ohio State’s running back room. 

As a freshman, he developed behind TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, two future top-50 picks in the 2025 NFL draft. But as a sophomore, Peoples looks forward to becoming the Buckeyes’ featured ballcarrier. However, “featured” doesn’t mean “bellcow.” 

If Carlos Locklyn granted Peoples’ wish, he would split carries with the likes of CJ Donaldson, Sam Williams-Dixon and Ohio State’s three freshmen: Bo Jackson, Turbo Rogers and Isaiah West.

“I would prefer that,” Peoples said. “(It helps) your body longevity and your lifespan in the league, so it’s a big help. I do see us doing that again. … Ultimately, it’s up to Coach Lock. But I do feel like that’s what’s going to happen.”

Henderson and Judkins competed for carries last season, but both running backs had a positive outlook on the situation. Peoples and Donaldson have the same mindset, the latter said last week.

“James Peoples, he’s a great competitor,” Donaldson said. “When I first got here in the winter, he pushed me day in and day out. We were doing sleds, and he was kicking my butt day in and day out. That just helped me improve my game and step up as the player that I needed to be.”

Peoples carried the ball 49 times for 197 yards and two touchdowns as a freshman. While those reps came in blowouts – or, as Dan Hope would hate for me to write, “garbage time” – Peoples’ teammates see the potential for greatness in him. At the NFL Combine last month, Henderson said Peoples reminds him of J.K. Dobbins, a former Ohio State All-American and current five-year NFL veteran.

“I grew up watching J.K. because I grew up an Ohio State fan,” Peoples said. “There are similarities in our games, just how he’s a one-cut slasher. But, of course, I am my own back.”

Peoples added that he’s well aware of the rich history of great running backs at Ohio State. He embraces the pressure of being the next one.

“It’s a great honor,” Peoples said. “This is RBU, and it always has been since I was growing up watching them. To be the next one in line potentially – I’ve got to work for it – but it’s an honor, and I take it humbly. There’s a lot that goes with that.”

Locklyn wants to see Peoples keep pushing.

“He is pushing to be great. I think he had a great example last year with Tre and Q,” he said. “He’s doing some really good things. But Coach Lock ain’t going to make it easy for nobody.”

Peoples should expect no different.

I certainly don’t.

“If your kids soft, you soft,” Locklyn said when asked about coaching his room hard. “Take a look in the mirror.”

Unreal quote.

 HEARTBREAKING DEFEAT... Man, I am heartbroken for the Ohio State women’s hockey team. 

The Buckeyes led 3-2 with 18 seconds remaining in the NCAA championship game. Referees awarded Wisconsin a penalty shot after determining – long after the (supposed) action occurred – that an Ohio State defenseman covered the puck with her hand inside the crease. Wisconsin forward Kirsten Simms scored via the penalty and, later, buried the game-winning goal in overtime to help the Badgers claim their second title in three years.

Ohio State’s loss stung – a lot.

Had Ohio State won, the Buckeyes would have established themselves as the sport’s latest dynasty with back-to-back NCAA championships and three titles in four years. Their three NCAA championships would have tied Clarkson for the fourth-most in women’s college hockey behind Wisconsin (seven), Minnesota (six) and Minnesota-Duluth (five). Instead, the Badgers reinstated their dominance, winning their eighth championship since 2006.

Eighteen seconds. 

That was the difference between Ohio State and Legend.

Still, if I know a thing or two about Nadine Muzerall and the Buckeyes, they will be back.

Oh, they’ll be back with a fury.

You know who’s back?

The Ohio State men’s lacrosse team.

The Buckeyes knocked off No. 2 Penn State on Sunday, securing their ninth consecutive win. That streak includes several upsets, including one over Notre Dame, one over Denver and one over Penn State.

The Bucks are hot. The Bucks are hot. They don’t like it when the Bucks are hot.

 SPRING SALE! Dear reader – you faithful Eleven Warriors reader – it's time to gear up for spring in style! The Eleven Warriors Dry Goods Spring Sale is officially here, and that means big-time savings on the freshest Ohio State gear around.

From now until March 31, you can save 20% sitewide on everything in the shop. That’s right! Tees, hoodies, hats, and more, all at a discount. You can look good, save money, and, of course, talk trash (see: The Tiger Clown) with some of the best Ohio State attire around.

Don’t wait – this deal won’t last forever. Head over to drygoods.elevenwarriors.com and stock up before time runs out. That’s drygoods.elevenwarriors.com, where Buckeye fans shop!

Go Bucks!

 SONG OF THE DAY. “Half a Lifetime” - My Morning Jacket.

 CUT TO THE CHASE. "Severance" renewed for Season 3 at Apple TV+ (yay!)... Viral videos of dogs called a "Himalayan fur goblin" and "teacup werewolf" boost adoptions... New Zealand parliament shows its spooky side in a tour of mysterious deaths and cat infestations...  John Calipari and the razor-thin margins of legacy.

47 Comments

Four-star Offensive Tackle Sam Greer Commits to Ohio State

Sam Greer

Evan Mahaffey Enters Transfer Portal After Two Years With Buckeyes

Evan Mahaffey
View 47 Comments