Skull Session: Tommy Togiai is a Monster, Thayer Munford is Among the Nation's Best, and Jared Sullinger Keeps Up With the Buckeyes

By Kevin Harrish on February 10, 2021 at 7:05 am
Larry Johnson is coaching them up in today's skull session.
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In case you need a good laugh to start your day...

I had like 10 favorite parts of that video but the fellow earnestly declaring that he was ready to proceed while still rocking a cat filter probably takes the cake.

Word of the Day: Vagary.

 THE UNBLOCKABLE TOMMY T. Ohio State's become fairly accustomed to producing unblockable, monster defensive linemen that leave NFL scouts salivating. But they don't usually look quite like this.

You have to assume he's now the favorite for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award, since we all know that NFL rules dictate that must go to a Buckeye. Though Pete Werner could make a run at it, too.

 THE BEST DAMN TACKLE IN THE LAND. Thayer Munford ain't just coming back, he's coming back as the best offensive tackle in the country – and No. 2 offensive lineman overall, according to Pro Football Focus.

2. T THAYER MUNFORD, OHIO STATE

Munford is taking advantage of his “super senior” year and returning to school for the 2021 season, which is a very good thing for the Buckeyes. He was a decent starter at left tackle for Ohio State in 2018 and 2019, but he took his play from good to elite in 2020. Munford posted a 91.8 PFF grade this past season, the fourth-best mark in the entire FBS and the highest mark among tackles returning this fall.

His pass protection was nearly flawless in 2020. Munford stood strong against quality pass-rush units, such as Michigan, Clemson and Alabama, and displayed tremendous processing speed against stunts and blitzes all year long. Over the course of 264 pass-blocking snaps, he allowed just three pressures — none of which were sacks or hits on quarterback Justin Fields. In turn, his pressure rate allowed was half a percentage point lower than any other Power Five left tackle. With Munford and Nicholas Petit-Frere manning the ends of the line, Ohio State might just have the best tackle tandem in college football next season.

(I'm well aware of the error in the quoted section – Ohio State didn't play Michigan this year. But to be honest, the more egregious claiming Michigan had a "quality" pass-rush.)

I still remember Thayer Munford's signing day day. Dude arrived with the least amount of hype ever – the very last player in the class, committed after Ohio State's signing day press conference and was the second lowest-rated player in the class. And now he's the best tackle in the country and is about to own an Ohio State record for game appearances as a four-year starter.

I'll never forget the press conference back in 2018 when he said his ultimate football goal was to use it to save his family. Three years later, I'd say mission accomplished.

 SULLY STILL CARES. Jared Sullinger wasn't recruited by Chris Holtmann and has no real outside connection to any player on the roster, but that ain't stopping him from being an Ohio State super fan.

"We're still watching every game. We watch every day," Sullinger told BTN.

I know it's not exactly unheardof, but it extremely rules that the best Matt era players are still ambassadors for the program like this, even after Thad's unceremonious exit.

I was at least a little concerned that there'd be some issues with that, especially after  D'Angelo Russell initially said he'd never come back to Ohio State, but even he's come around to Chris Holtmann.

I'll tell you what though, winning sure helps those hurt feelings.

 DUTY CALLS. When Ohio State called Chris Holtmann about a potential job offer, let's just say the timing was... unique.

"I am completely medicated for the next 24-48 hours. I mean, I'm high as a kite. I'm not thinking straight. And that kind of commences the beginning of the interview process."

So, basically, the first time Chris Holtmann ever thought about becoming Ohio State's head coach, he was absolutely high as hell. I wouldn't have it any other way.

 SONG OF THE DAY. "Laugh Now Cry Later" by Drake.

 NOT STICKING TO SPORTS. The bizarre tale of the woman who tried to hire a hitman with Bitcoin... A man pleads guilty to placing more than a dozen dead animals on a neighbor’s gravestone while dressed as woman... A hacker tried to poison a Florida city's water supply... Bring back the nervous breakdown... A man chops off his hand with a chainsaw and carries it to the hospital to be reattached...

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