Welcome to the Skull Session.
Today, our 12th Warrior Happy Hour series continues!
Former Ohio State All-American and current Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins headlines the second 12th Warrior Happy Hour an exclusive conversation with our biggest supporters. https://t.co/78uhsnrlpO pic.twitter.com/XZcx0cwa2I
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) July 8, 2025
Have a good Friday.
“IT WAS A BLESSING.” Cleveland.com’s Stefan Krajisnik took readers inside Caleb Downs’ offseason as an EA Sports College Football 26 (deluxe edition) cover star and “his drive for more with Ohio State football.”
There was much to appreciate in the article, which details Downs’ passion for golf, his claim that Sonny Styles is the team’s biggest trash talker and more. The main appeal, however, was Downs’ appearance with Ryan Day and Jeremiah Smith on the College Football 26 cover.
“At the end of the day, in 15-20 years, I can tell my son, tell my daughter, that’s your dad on the cover of a video game,” Downs told Krajisnik. “That’s something a lot of people can’t say.”
Regarding his experience traveling with Day and Smith to Pasadena for the cover shoot inside Rose Bowl Stadium, Downs said it was something of a dream come true.
“It was a blessing just because we had been through a whole season together,” Downs said. “Our relationships have all grown. To all be in that situation, it’s surreal.”
I can imagine. What an honor!
“A TRUE BLUE-CHIP TALENT.” Downs’ name appeared in more than one article on Thursday, as The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranked the unanimous All-American the No. 1 defensive underclassman prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft class.
Here’s what Brugler wrote about Downs:
Arguably America’s best draft-eligible prospect this season regardless of position, Downs made national headlines after a stellar freshman year at Alabama by heading north to Ohio State. His arrival was as-advertised, as Downs’ versatility on the back end — playing either safety spot, corner, slot or rush linebacker — unlocked what turned into a national championship defense.
Downs could be a bit bigger, but his football instincts — especially in run support — are the best of any defensive back in college football. A fierce hitter who can cover anything sideline to sideline while adding value in the kick return game, Downs is a true blue-chip talent who’s reminiscent of a cross between Budda Baker and Minkah Fitzpatrick. Despite his position, he will be in the mix as a top-three prospect in the 2026 draft class.
As I did with The Athletic’s top 25 players in the Big Ten, here’s the rest of Brugler’s list, with underclassmen Ohio State will face in the regular season bolded: No. 2 Clemson edge T.J. Parker, No. 3 Auburn defensive lineman Keldric Faulk, No. 4 Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods, No. 5 Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy, No. 6 Oregon edge Matayo Uiagalelei, No. 7 Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., No. 8 Miami edge Rueben Bain Jr., No. 9 Georgia linebacker CJ Allen, No. 10 South Carolina defensive back Jalon Kilgore, No. 11 Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell, No. 12 Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, No. 13 LSU linebacker Whit Weeks, No. 14 Texas A&M linebacker Taurean York and No. 15 USC safety Kamari Ramsey.
Well, it turns out there’s only one bolded player.
There are a lot of Clemson players, though.
Are Dabo Swinney and the Tigers back?
Nahhhhhh.
DEVELOPED HERE. Downs is one of the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class, just like Nick Bosa in the 2019 class and Cameron Heyward in the 2011 class. While Downs must wait another year to make his professional debut, Bosa and Heyward have been kicking it in the league for a long time — especially Heyward, who will enter his 15th NFL season this fall.
This week, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler ranked Bosa as the No. 5 edge rusher in the NFL behind Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns), T.J. Watt (Pittsburgh Steelers), Micah Parsons (Dallas Cowboys) and Maxx Crosby (Las Vegas Raiders). He ranked Bosa ahead of Trey Hendrickson (Cincinnati Bengals), Aidan Hutchinson (Detroit Lions), Will Anderson Jr. (Houston Texans), Danielle Hunter (Houston Texans) and Jared Verse (Los Angeles Rams).
Bosa is an eye-test pass rusher. While his 19.5 sacks over the past two seasons represent mild production for a top-five pass rusher, Bosa's disruption is obvious.
"His leverage, explosiveness, power and polished rush arsenal are unmatched," an NFL personnel director said. "He has the same rush moves as [brother] Joey Bosa but with better play strength to win in a variety of ways."
And Bosa posted a 22.2% pass rush win rate, up nearly four points from the previous year. His 0.70 "get-off" in 2024 was the quickest in his career and tied Garrett for the best of the season.
Since 2021, Bosa has generated 121 quick pressures (under 2.5 seconds), the fifth most in the NFL during that span. Four NFL players have at least 60 sacks and 10 fumbles since 2019 — Watt, Garrett, Bosa and Hendrickson.
Fowler also ranked the top defensive tackles in the NFL this week. He listed Heyward No. 10 behind Dexter Lawrence (New York Giants), Chris Jones (Kansas City Chiefs), Jalen Carter (Philadelphia Eagles), Jeffery Simmons (Tennessee Titans), Quinnen Williams (New York Jets), Leonard Williams (Seattle Seahawks), Nnamdi Madubuike (Baltimore Ravens), DeForest Buckner (Indianapolis Colts) and Vita Vea (Tampa Bay Bucaneers).
Heyward fueled his own Steeler legend with an age-35 performance that included a first-team All-Pro berth. Fighting off inevitable decline, Heyward produced 8 sacks, 20 quarterback hits and a league-high 8 batted passes. The difference from a down 2023 campaign was simple.
"He was healthier," an AFC executive said. "Got past the nagging injuries from 2023 and performed back up to his standard. He's been good for a long time."
Opposing quarterbacks posted a 1.0 QBR on dropbacks when Heyward applied the first pressure. Translation: When he got deep into the backfield, he made the play, forcing 17 incompletions on the year.
Can someone show this information to KJ Ford before he chooses between Florida, Texas A&M, Ohio State and... Alabama?... at 8:30 p.m.? Thanks!
TODAY I LEARNED. On Thursday, The Athletic’s Scott Dochterman examined all 21 recognized traveling trophies in the Big Ten. Of course, he mentioned the Illibuck, which will reach its centennial in 2025.
This year, Ohio State-Illinois and Purdue-Indiana celebrate the centennials of their traveling trophies. In 1925, the Buckeyes and Fighting Illini chose a live turtle to signify their long-lasting spirit of competition. The turtle died in 1927 and was replaced by the wooden Illibuck.
The more you know!
SONG OF THE DAY. "Radio Ga Ga" - Queen.
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