Skull Session: Branden Bowen's Return, Bubba Bolden on the Move, and DJ Carton Talks Baseball

By Kevin Harrish on October 9, 2018 at 4:59 am
J.K. Dobbins soars into today's skull session.
© Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
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I'm about to attack this Tuesday with the same enthusiasm this legend has while playing the bass drum:

ICYMI

Word of the Day: Enervate.

 BRANDEN BOWEN BACK? Don't look now, but the Buckeye offensive line might be getting a little reinforcements.

When Branden Bowen announced in early September that he was having surgery on his leg, I assumed that would rule him out for the entire season, but it's looking like that might be a bad assumption.

Urban Meyer was asked about Bowen's recovery on Monday, and he said that "he's close" and that "there's a chance" he could return this season. That was following this Instagram post:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Coming back for everything Im owed.

A post shared by Branden Bowen (@brandenbowen) on

This is purely speculation, but I'm thinking Bowen could benefit from the new redshirt rule, but instead of playing his four games at the beginning of the season, he'd get them at the end, during a potential postseason run, and still preserve a season of eligibility.

Regardless, it's just good to see him healthy.

 BUBBA BOLDEN A BUCKEYE TO BE? Some of you folks probably remember four-star safety Bubba Bolden from the class of 2017, who flirted with the Buckeyes late in the recruiting cycle before ultimately choosing USC.

Bolden was the No. 7 safety and No. 59 overall player in the country and a high school teammate of Tate Martell and Haskell Garrett at Bishop Gorman High School.

He would have been a huge get for for the Buckeyes, and now it seems like they might have another shot at his services, as Bolden is no longer enrolled at USC.

From the OC Register:

In a statement announcing his departure, Bolden said he faced lengthy disciplinary action for his role in an off-the-field incident that occurred in February in which he was cited for underage drinking at an off-campus party, violating the school’s code of conduct. Bolden added that he “participated in mutual trash-talking with fellow party-goers” and left with friends when “the vibe at the party turned unfriendly,” but no other details about his behavior were given.

The incident was reported nine days later to USC’s Office of Student Judicial Affairs, which began an investigation. The party hosts reported “feeling threatened by me that night,” Bolden said.

As a result, Bolden, 19, said he was handed a 28-month suspension that recently took effect. The suspension was not to be lifted until the party hosts, fellow students, had graduated, according to his statement. His mother, Breezy Bolden, said Monday that Bolden was suspended from attending classes, which is needed in order to play for the team and remain eligible.

So Bolden is in search of a new home. And I have a hunch me might be willing to consider Ohio State, if the Buckeyes were willing to take him.

Or perhaps that plan is already in motion?

Makes you think, for sure.

All I know is once Sinbad's nephew leaves this offseason, the whole safety situation is probably going to get a hell of a lot worse. I'm not about to refuse help from a guy who was penciled in to start at USC in his second year. 

 BETTER AT A DIFFERENT SPORT. I always love athletes who reach near the pinnacle of a sport and then remind everyone that they probably could have done another one just as well, if not better – because in most cases, they're probably right.

Ohio State point guard commit DJ Carton is one of those individuals.

From Logan Newman of USA Today High School Sports:

Until eighth grade, the Bettendorf (Iowa) High School senior was a two-sport athlete, and basketball wasn’t the first.

“Growing up, I always loved basketball but I was really good at baseball,” Carton said. “That was probably my best sport.”

But the pace of the game bothered Carton, whose speed, movement and playmaking ability is a take on his favorite NBA player, John Wall.

“I like the fast pace of basketball, I thought baseball was a little too slow for me,” he said.

The decision also came down to finances.

“My mom, she paid a lot, put a lot into my sports and stuff like that, and I thought to focus on one sport and hopefully get my college paid for … and hopefully help support the family in the future,” he said.

It's hard to fault Carton's decision when he's the No. 24 player in the country and the No. 2 player at his position, but this makes me wonder – how good could he have been at baseball?

 SPEAKING OF TWO SPORT STARS. I had no idea that Jackie Robinson ever played football, but from this tape, it looks like he was an absolute monster.

The video is as advertised – he really does look like Reggie Bush out there, except possibly even more dominant.

 HOCKEY SCHOOL? For the first time in program history, Ohio State has the top-ranked hockey program in the land. The latest coaches poll has the Buckeyes at No. 1, with Ohio State receiving 18 out of 37 first-place votes. 

Ohio State has yet to play its first game of the season, as the Buckeyes open with Arizona State on Friday, but this is a solid way to start.

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