Welcome to Skull Session.
It's the last of my three days filling in for the legendary Chase Brown while he recharges his batteries before the coming onslaught of football season. Unlike the four-hour delay yesterday, I've double-checked to make sure today's Skull Session hits your internet doorways on time.
That's two dollars. Plus tip.
Let's hope we all can have a good hump day.
C.J. IS CRYING, I'M CRYING, WE'RE ALL CRYING. C.J. Stroud fulfilled the wish of a very deserving Houston Texans fan.
John Sperring, a 12-year-old, went through a bigger health crisis in the first weeks of his life than some will experience in the entirety of theirs. Right before his parents were going to take him home from the hospital after his birth, a nurse noticed an anomaly with his heart and summoned a cardiologist.
John was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. The left side of his heart had not developed properly and wasn't pumping enough blood to the rest of his body. Through an emergency open-heart surgery, by some miracle, he survived. His chest is still cracked open.
After several more surgeries, John is living a happy life, but may still need a heart transplant for his long-term survival. Despite his great love for sports, his heart condition prevents him from playing. But for a day, he was a Houston Texan. And Stroud made sure he was that day's most important one.
Despite hailing from Dallas, John's view of Houston's NRG Stadium from his hospital window made him a Texans fan. His wish, though My Wish, was to meet Stroud.
After being surprised at a local gaming center that his wish would come true, John received an official invitation from the Texans to come to their stadium. Once there, he was gifted with four gift bags loaded with team gear before Stroud met him with an excited "John!"
Stroud took John on a personal tour of the stadium and through a photoshoot with he and other Texans. Then the two had a conversation on a golf cart as they were heading to Houston's practice.
"Why are you a Texans fan, bud," Stroud asked.
"From my hospital room I could see NRG," John replied.
"Oh really? That's cool man."
"Yeah, and you're a great Christian."
"Awe, thank you man, I've tried bro. I grew up, my dad was a pastor, he taught me a lot," Stroud said, getting choked up. "My guy."
Stroud extended a fist bump to John, then starting wiping his eyes. "It's gonna make me cry."
Don't worry, C.J., it made me cry too. For two reasons. The first is Stroud's reminiscence about his father, who has been serving a 38-year prison sentence since 2015 after pleading guilty to carjacking, kidnapping, robbery and misdemeanor sexual battery.
Stroud, whose father clearly had a huge impact on his life, wore cleats that read "#Reform" (short for prison reform) and "free pops" during his Week 13 game last season. Those interested in reading more about that and the case can do so here. But it's clear Stroud missed his dad in that moment as John made him think about him.
The second reason is just the incredible bond the two made over their faith. Whatever your personal beliefs are, the connection between these two as people and the mutual inspiration an NFL quarterback and a 12-year-old child can take from each other's stories – I couldn't help but cry alongside Stroud.
It was all brought to a head when Stroud, still choked up, presented an inscribed and signed jersey to John with three of his favorite Bible verses.
"I've been through a lot, made a lot of mistakes," Stroud said. "I'm proud of you, bro. You're 12 years old, you love Jesus, I love that bro. Keep that childlike faith."
Stroud and John spent a second day together, where John attended a Texans practice. Stroud told him he'd break out the initial team huddle, and when John started to say he wasn't sure about it, Stroud pushed him forward with confidence. The biggest smile crossed John's face as Stroud lifted him up on his shoulders to shout "1, 2, 3 Texans!" with everybody.
Note from Andy: My lone request to our comment section today is that, in C.J. and John's spirit, we keep things positive. I know religion can, at times, bring up hostility, even in as happy a context as this. But this story couldn't be told properly without discussing it. Thank you.
BIG-SPENDING BUCKS. A survey conducted by On3's Pete Nakos ranked Ohio State as spending the third-most money across college football this season.
NEW: Top 10 Biggest Spenders in College Football this season
— On3 (@On3sports) July 15, 2025
(Survey via @PeteNakos_) https://t.co/KSq2X85KFe pic.twitter.com/B6YylQ1djM
There were several interesting notes from this story. Firstly, Nakos reported that sources indicate that the Buckeyes' roster costs more than $35 million. Those sources also said that Jeremiah Smith will be the highest-paid non-quarterback in the country this season, paid more than the $4.5 million he was reportedly offered to enter the transfer portal. Nakos also reported this:
“I’m not going to lie, we called about him,” a general manager said of Smith. “Reached out to his people. They were like, ‘It’s going to have to be $7 million.’ And I was like, ‘Have a great day.'”
Put whatever stock into that you wish. Some might be shocked to see Texas Tech at No. 2 on that list – Nakos reported that they will spend more than $28 million this year. They did have the No. 2 transfer portal class in the country, per 247Sports. The Red Raiders apparently outbid the Buckeyes for former USC running back Quentin Joyner, who Nakos reported Texas Tech won with a $700,000 offer.
Lastly, of interest after Ohio State missed out on four-star defensive end Luke Wafle:
Four-star EDGE Luke Wafle picked USC over Ohio State and Penn State and is expected to sign a three-year, $2.4 million deal.
FUTURE BIG-LEAGUERS FROM THE BUS? Two Ohio State baseball players were selected in the 2025 MLB draft this week, one former and one (now potentially) future.
First, the Chicago White Sox took pitcher Blaine Wynk No. 226 overall in the eighth round. Wynk was a third-team All-Big Ten selection in 2024, posting a 3.38 ERA with two saves and 38 strikeouts in 40 innings of relief work. Injuries held him to just five appearances in 2025, where he struggled.
The White Sox 8th round selection is RHP Blaine Wynk, from Ohio State University!
— Dylan Barnas (@NotCease) July 14, 2025
Wynk was plagued by injuries this year, but when he was on the field, its electric stuff. Spins the ball well, and the fastball is up to 98. pic.twitter.com/trFQQZwE4C
Then, in the 17th round, the Detroit Tigers selected pitcher Joey Wimpelberg. Wimpelberg spent the past two seasons at the JUCO level with the College of Central Florida, then committed to the Buckeyes to continue his college career this offseason. He'll now have a choice of whether to stick at the NCAA ranks or go pro.
Congratulations to signee Joey Wimpelberg, who was drafted by the @tigers in the 17th round of the MLB Draft! #GoBucks https://t.co/R5hH8TPhwU
— Ohio State Baseball (@OhioStateBASE) July 14, 2025
Lastly, infielder Tyler Pettorini signed on as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Phillies. Here's hoping all the Buckeyes pursuing the big leagues make their dreams come true!
SONG OF THE DAY. "Belize" - Black Thought feat. MF DOOM. R.I.P. DOOM, always.
AROUND THE WEB WITH ANDY. Folks in Florida stop their dinner to rescue four people from a small plane crash... Residents in Massachusetts are warned to be on the lookout for a loose ball python... An overturned milk truck creates a "significant spill"... Runaway sheep wrangled after social media plea.
