Welcome to the Skull Session.
Emeka Egbuka has what the kids call aura.
AURA pic.twitter.com/lCzPGVz6zY
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) May 10, 2025
Have a good Thursday.
NEVER. GETS. OLD. Don’t mind me – just reliving Ohio State’s championship ceremony. Join me.
It will never, ever get old!
QUALITY>QUANTITY. This week, ESPN’s Max Olson ranked the best offseason transfers (both winter and spring) in college football. While Ohio State’s transfer class lacks quantity, it doesn’t lack quality, according to Olson, who placed four Buckeyes in his top 100.
No. 16 - Max Klare
Background: Klare stands among the most productive portal tight ends on the market. After appearing in six games over his first two college seasons, Klare broke out in 2024, leading the Boilermakers in receptions (51), receiving yards (685) and receiving scores (4). Only seven tight ends nationally logged more receiving yards than Klare, and he kept the chains moving for Purdue with 33 first downs, ranking ninth among players at his position. A skilled downfield target and physical blocker, Klare should be able to slot seamlessly into the Buckeyes' offense. — Lederman
Scout's take: Klare is a strong target with good ball skills and a nice catch radius. He also has good speed and can challenge defenses vertically up the seam. His most attractive asset is his receiving skills, but he is also an effective blocker and offers plug-and-play ability with his physical tools and proven production. His production could even increase with the Buckeyes with a stronger array of receiving targets to complement him. — Tucker
What he brings to Ohio State: There was a ton of competition and strong offers made for Klare, but the Buckeyes eventually won out and added the No. 1 tight end in the portal as a serious upgrade at the position. Gee Scott Jr. is set to graduate and Will Kacmarek can return for one more season, but Klare can be a real difference-maker in the passing game and should play a good role in Ohio State's offense going forward. — Olson
No. 33 - Beau Atkinson
Background: Atkinson showed intriguing potential during his redshirt freshman season with the Tar Heels and took a big step forward in 2024 with a team-high 25 pressures, 12 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. That's impressive production for an edge rusher who played only an average of 28 snaps per game. The former three-star recruit is viewed as a rising prospect with legitimate NFL draft pick potential, and he still has two more seasons to keep improving. — Olson
Scout's take: This is a big loss for North Carolina, as Atkinson solidified himself as a future difference-maker on this team in 2024 and drew a lot of attention as a pass rusher, which made him ultra-attractive in the transfer portal. He has length, good hand usage and plays with a high motor. He's extremely disruptive in one-on-one matchups. He's a locker room guy who will bring leadership traits and maturity along with a high level of production. — Luginbill
What he brings to Ohio State: The defending national champs lost Jack Sawyer, JT Tuimoloau, Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton to the NFL and went into the spring portal period seeking quality D-line help to complement their returning talent. Atkinson emerged as a top priority as soon as he became available. After a spring under coach Bill Belichick, he'll play for Belichick's former protege Matt Patricia -- the new defensive coordinator in Columbus -- and should be an impact addition at defensive end. — Olson
No. 35 - Ethan Onianwa
Background: Onianwa is one of the most experienced offensive tackles in the portal. The former three-star recruit from Katy, Texas, moved into the starting lineup as a redshirt freshman for the Owls and developed into a three-year starter who logged more than 2,200 career snaps. Onianwa made the switch from right tackle to left tackle as a junior and had his best season yet with one sack allowed. — Olson
Scout's take: Onianwa has a massive frame, great length, bulk and experience playing both tackle positions. In pass pro he has great bend and flexibility for his size to mirror fast edge rushers at the corner. He utilizes his length to ride defenders past the pocket and shows a strong surge with a powerful upper body to move defenders off the ball. He also plays with good body control and pad level which is accentuated as a run blocker. — Tucker
What he brings to Ohio State: The Buckeyes have done a nice job of addressing their need at tackle with Onianwa and Minnesota transfer Phillip Daniels. Given the success they just had in developing little-known San Diego State transfer Josh Simmons into a first-round pick, it's easy to see why Onianwa would trust Ryan Day and his staff with his final season of eligibility. — Olson
No. 65 - CJ Donaldson
Background: Donaldson was an under-the-radar get out of Miami for the Mountaineers and initially signed to play tight end, but he proved right away as a freshman that he can be an impact back. He rushed for 2,058 yards and scored 31 touchdowns over three seasons in Morgantown. — Olson
What he brings to Ohio State: The Buckeyes must replace second-round draft picks Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson at this spot and have lots of blue-chip talent competing for carries. Donaldson should be a great complement to sophomore James Peoples and will have an opportunity to play a significant role for the defending national champs. — Olson
I am excited about each of these additions, even if that excitement is based on potential alone. Klare has the potential to be one of the best tight ends in America, Atkinson has the potential to be one of the best defensive ends in America, Onianwa has the potential to be one of the best offensive tackles in America and Donaldson – well, I don’t think he’ll reach “one of the best in America” level, but he’ll be a darn good RB2!
FALLIN’, BUT NOT FREE FALLIN’. Last week, ESPN’s Mark Schlabach released his post-spring top 25. While he had Ohio State as the No. 1 team a few months ago, the Buckeyes slid to No. 5 in these rankings behind Penn State, Clemson, Texas and Georgia. Here’s what Schlabach wrote about Ryan Day and Co.
No. 5 - Ohio State
Previous ranking: 1
Key returning players: WR Jeremiah Smith, WR Carnell Tate, WR Brandon Inniss, S Caleb Downs, CB Davison Igbinosun, CB Jermaine Mathews Jr., LB Arvell Reese, C Carson Hinzman, G Luke Montgomery
Key transfer portal additions: TE Max Klare (Purdue), G Phillip Daniels (Minnesota), OT Ethan Onianwa (Rice), DE Beau Atkinson (North Carolina), OT Justin Terry (West Virginia)
2025 outlook: The Buckeyes won't have an easy time replacing the players from the senior class and both coordinators who helped lead them to their third national championship since 2002. Starting quarterback Will Howard and running backs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson were among the key losses. Freshman Julian Sayin and sophomore Lincoln Kienholz were locked in for a pretty good battle for starting quarterback in the spring, although it still seems to be Sayin's job to lose.
Whomever wins the job will be blessed with the best receiver corps in the sport, led by Smith and Tate. Klare caught 51 passes for 685 yards with four touchdowns at Purdue in 2024. There were heavy losses on defense too; linebacker Cody Simon, safety Lathan Ransom, defensive ends Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau, and cornerback Denzel Burke won't be easily replaced. Coach Ryan Day hired former Detroit Lions coach Matt Patricia to replace Jim Knowles, who left for Penn State. Depth on the defensive line, especially in the interior, was a big concern coming out of spring practice.
No. 1?
No. 5?
Doesn't matter.
If Julian Sayin or Lincoln Kienholz can be the guy and Ohio State's defensive tackles take a massive leap this offseason, the Buckeyes have all the tools necessary to compete for a national title next season. I am confident in that, no matter what the Worldwide Leader thinks!
HONORING KYLE BROWN. In June 2023, Buckeye Nation lost Kyle Brown. The 2003 Ohio State baseball captain died at 42 years old after suffering a medical emergency while helping ESPN broadcast a Super Regional baseball game.
Following Brown’s death, his loved ones created The Kyle M. Brown Memorial Foundation in his honor, and this summer, the foundation will host a handful of events to raise funds for several organizations, including, but not limited to:
- Project MKC
- The Melina Michelle Edenfield Foundation
- Canfield Local Schools Food Pantry and Student Fund
- Washington Court House City Schools Student Fund
- Canfield Baseball Club
- The Boys and Girls Club of Youngstown
As for the events, the foundation has three planned at the Kensington Golf Club in Canfield:
Thursday, June 26 - Kids Day
An event just for them! Putt putt course, bounce house, golf competitions & prizes - what's not to love?! Geared towards kids 16 & younger.
Thursday, June 26 - Benefit Dinner
Family-friendly benefit dinner to support The Kyle. M. Brown Memorial Foundation. Buffet dinner, chance auction, and more!
Friday, June 27 - Golf Tournament
Get your foursome ready for a scramble with a shotgun start! Games at each hole & food will be provided at the turn and after the round.
Check these events out – or consider a donation to Brown's foundation! Any and all contributions will make a difference!
SONG OF THE DAY. “Free Fallin’” - John Mayer.
CUT TO THE CHASE. DoorDash delivery driver pleads guilty to stealing $2.5 million in deliveries scam... Alligator that starred in "Happy Gilmore" dies of old age in Colorado... Tom Cruise, once again, stokes a frenzy in Cannes... Draymond Green fined for questioning officials' integrity... Bert Bielema agrees to a new six-year contract at Illinois.
