Skull Session: Dawand Jones is a Preseason All-American, Terry McLaurin is More Than “Scary Terry” and Ohio State Men's Hockey Will Play Michigan Outdoors

By Chase Brown on August 23, 2022 at 5:00 am
Dawand Jones, everyone.
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There's a little bit of everything in today's Skull Session.

From Dawand Jones to Terry McLaurin and individual memories in Ohio Stadium to the Ohio State men’s ice hockey team playing hockey the way God intended in the elements.

With the expansive nature of the topics, there will be something for everyone in today’s reading. Take it all in, and have a great Tuesday.

 DAWAND JONES, EVERYONE. Ohio State offensive tackle Dawand Jones was named an Associated Press preseason All-American, landing on the second-team with Baylor’s Connor Galvin. His nomination is noteworthy as the Indianapolis native has now been named to two preseason All-American teams, as he earned the same second-team recognition from the Walter Camp Football Foundation earlier this summer.

Jones has earned his stripes at Ohio State, proving himself to be more than just a big body up front. His second preseason All-American nomination demonstrates that he’s one of the best linemen the Buckeyes have, along with fellow offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr., who earned first-team preseason All-American honors from the AP.

According to Pro Football Focus, Jones was among the best run-blocking tackles in the NCAA last season with a 90.6 grade, good for eighth in the nation. His pass blocking ranked 40th at 78.8. Both of those accomplishments came as a first-year starter. 

Down 10 pounds since last season ended, the 6-foot-8, 360-pound Jones said he expects a standout year from himself this fall. Standout could mean second-team All-American at the end of the season, but it could also mean more or less. Regardless, Jones providing quality play at right tackle will be important if Ohio State is going to achieve its national championship goals.

 MORE THAN SCARY TERRY. Terry McLaurin has come a long way since his time as a Buckeye. As a third-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft, nobody – not even the Washington Commanders – could have anticipated that the Ohio State product would become one of the top wide receivers in the professional ranks. After all, McLaurin once said he liked blocking more than catching the football.

I mean, seriously, what kind of receiver says something like that?

McLaurin is exceptionally talented, proven by his record-breaking contract signed with the Commanders worth up to $71 million over the next three years with a $28 million signing bonus. McLaurin told The Athletic that he called his father, mother and sister to tell them the news after he received that extension.

A tear well in his eye and rolled down his cheek. Then another, and more after that.

“In negotiations, things didn’t always go as planned,” he explains. “There are ups and downs. To know it was finally over, there were a lot of emotions. I didn’t want to bash the team or say things on social media or do things that were out of my character to try to get what I deserved or what I earned. So doing the right thing and being true to yourself can still get you rewarded in this world. It was a life lesson I learned that I will take through life and share with other people. I was really relieved because I wanted to play football again.

While talented on the field, McLaurin has perhaps been even more impactful as a leader in the locker room and the community of Washington, D.C. That’s what team president Jason Wright would tell you, at least.

“When you find someone like that, they absolutely should become one of the faces on the Mount Rushmore of your franchise as you start to build a new championship era," Wright said. “That’s something coach, the Synders and I were aligned on. As the public narrative on us starts to reflect the organization we actually are today, all the better that Terry is at the forefront as we show the world that we are not a franchise of the past.”

The Athletic’s Dan Pompei points out that McLaurin is more than “Scary Terry.” He is a good man looking to impact everyone around him positively, and that takes a special heart – cheers to McLaurin for all his fantastic work.

 CELEBRATING THE SHOE. Ohio Stadium turns 100 years old in 2022, and the university wants fans to share their experiences in the legendary venue on the athletic department’s website.

“Unforgettable moments, hall of fame coaches and legendary players have all combined to provide countless memories in Ohio Stadium. But the true embodiment of what has made The Shoe so iconic for the past century has been YOU – the best fans in the land piling into Ohio Stadium and cheering/supporting our Buckeyes to eight national championships and 35 B1G titles.”

Fans can submit photos and write a statement telling the athletic department about their favorite memories in Ohio Stadium. Ohio State will also accept submissions on social media with #TheShoe100.

Hurry over to the Ohio State website and tell them all about how Eddie George ran for 200-plus yards against Notre Dame in 1995, or how Troy Smith threw it all over Michigan in “The Game of the Century,” or whatever else you might want to share.

Feel free to do that in the comments section of this post, too. What is your favorite memory in The Shoe?

 HOCKEY OUTDOORS? Ohio State men’s hockey will face rival Michigan outdoors at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland this season. Yes, you read that correctly – the Buckeyes will take on the Wolverines outside off the shores of Lake Erie, where the Cleveland Browns play their football games, on Feb. 18, 2023.

The matchup has been titled “The Faceoff on the Lake” and will be hosted by the Haslam Sports Group, the organization that owns Cleveland’s NFL franchise.

Ohio State has played four outdoor games in program history, and this will be the second time the Buckeyes and Wolverines have met without a roof over their heads. The programs played a regular-season contest at Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Guardians, in January 2012.

While I love the idea of Ohio State and Michigan competing in the elements, I wonder when this battle between storied rivals will occur inside Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Of course, the athletic department can respect home-and-home rules and play the following year in Ann Arbor. That’s fine. Buckeye fans deserve a snowy evening in the Shoe while two great hockey teams duke it out in Columbus.

 SONG OF THE DAY. “Something in the Orange” by Zach Bryan.

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