Welcome to the Skull Session.
The Brotherhood, BIA, etc.
silver bullet safeties catching up@OhioStateFB | @asvprocket_ | @L8thanRansom pic.twitter.com/wqPVZKJLA2
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 6, 2025
More on Ransom later in the Skull Session.
Have a good Thursday.
DEFEND THE PAST. Jim Tressel last coached James Laurinaitis in 2008, but 17 years later, the Ohio State legend is still teaching his former player a valuable lesson.
On Wednesday, Laurinaitis shared that he has asked his position to learn more about All-American Ohio State linebackers. He hopes the exercise helps his players develop a deeper appreciation for the legendary Buckeye linebackers to come before them.
“Every day, what I’m trying to do is take them through every All-American linebacker that we’ve had, starting with Ike Kelley,” Laurinaitis said. “It dawned on me last year that Ike Kelley still comes to the captains’ dinner. It’s like, he could be walking around and guys have no (idea). When you’re playing, there’s just a bunch of old dudes that are here, and you don’t really realize it when you’re young. When you become a junior and a senior, you start to have an appreciation.”
He added: “Coach Tressel always taught us about the history of this place.”
It’s been almost 20 years, and Tressel’s still taking him to school…
After starting with Kelly, Laurinaitis said he’s talked about Randy Gradishar, Tom Cousineau, Chris Spielman and Pepper Johnson, whom Payton Pierce called “a beast” on Wednesday.
Whenever Laurinaitis gets to the 2000s, he plans to skip over himself.
“I will definitely skip over myself,” he laughed. “That’s 100 percent.”
Sonny Styles said Wednesday that he’s appreciated Lauranaitis’ teachings.
“I think Coach Laurinaitis does a good job of teaching us about the tradition and the excellence that has come through Ohio State. He has us go in there (the linebacker room) and sing the fight song, Buckeye Swag and stuff like that. He’s just making sure we know everything — what it means to be a Buckeye.”
I love all of this.
I love it so much.
The People! The Tradition! The Excellence!
A SYMBOL OF PASSION, SPIRIT AND ENERGY. Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork appeared on All Sides with Amy Juravich on Wednesday to discuss Tradition Evolved, the Buckeyes’ plan to reimagine gameday inside Ohio Stadium.
From soundtracks to THE Towel, Bjork addressed many of Ohio State’s planned changes, which he clarified Tuesday are “to honor tradition but not think traditionally.” His most interesting comment, I think, came when he discussed the Buckeyes’ desire to utilize the Victory Bell “not just after the game” but as a symbol for energy and enthusiasm. Here’s how that conversation went down:
“You also plan to ring the Victory Bell before the game starts. That’s a little presumptuous,” Juravich said.
“Yeah,” Bjork laughed.
He continued: “When you study the Victory Bell and you read the words, ‘For Vigor,’ that means energy, that means enthusiasm. We can utilize that — not just after the game. Utilize it as a symbolic way to bring in legacy personalities. The first one, obviously, Archie Griffin, he’s gonna ring the bell. But look, if a former player is back in town, if there’s a celebrity that’s connected to Ohio State, if there’s a legacy person — maybe if LeBron (James) is at the game, he’s a big Buckeye fan, right? Does he ring the bell? It’s a way to stir emotion. It’s a way to utilize history. It’s a way to signify, ‘Here come the Buckeyes.’ It’s a way to signify, ‘Yes, we want the victory.’ We’re not being presumptuous about it. What we’re saying is that it’s a symbol around passion and spirit and energy and history, so let’s infuse that as a team walks down the tunnel.”
I know people have mixed feelings about LeBron, but it would be epic to see him as a Victory Bell Ringer for Ohio State. Think he's free for the Penn State game?
PAY THE RANSOM. Here’s a headline that stood out on my X timeline this week: Lathan Ransom is all over the place, again.
I had to click the link.
According to Panthers.com’s Darin Gantt, the Carolina Panthers’ fourth-round pick (No. 122 overall) has shone during preseason camp, making several standout plays on defense and special teams — just like he did for five years at Ohio State.
Gantt referenced a previous Panthers.com article from Kassidy Hill, which detailed special teams coach Tracy Smith calling a fake punt at the Panthers’ Fan Fest scrimmage, with Ransom being his secret weapon to convert.
Play of the Day: Lathan Ransom is all over the place, againhttps://t.co/WtArvcMBuB
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) August 5, 2025
“Let me see your eyes,” Smith told Ransom, wanting to gauge his confidence. “I’m going to throw you a ball.”
Ransom smiled.
“As the game’s going on, I’m just thinking about it, like ‘I’ve got to catch the ball, I’ve got to catch the ball, just make sure I catch the ball,’ and then take it back to the high school days,” Ransom said. “When I went out there, I’m looking, I see we’re at like the (20-yard line), and I’m looking, I’m like, man, I hope he calls it next, because it’s like (80 yards). It’s far.”
Smith did, in fact, call it.
After punter Sam Martin received the snap, he lobbed a rainbow to Ransom, who cut it back across the field and 79.5 yards to the goal line before Jimmy Horn knocked him out of bounds at the goal line.
“Jimmy, I mean, he had the angle, he had the angle,” Ransom laughed. “Jimmy made a great tackle.”
Focus and physicality helping Lathan Ransom stand out in camphttps://t.co/r0juqd8HYX
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) August 6, 2025
According to Gantt, Ransom’s fortunes continued the following practice when he intercepted a Bryce Young pass intended for wide receiver Adam Thielen.
Both moments impressed Panthers head coach Dave Canales.
“Just being where he’s supposed to be,” Canales said. “One thing that I’m noticing about him is that he always seems to be in a great position to make a play. … And that comes with study, that comes with being disciplined about owning your leverage, analyzing the formation, run-pass, and then putting yourselves in an athletic position to make plays. I can’t be happier with where he’s at and where he’s headed.”
Ransom was one of my favorite Buckeyes, both on and off the field, so to see him thrive in Carolina would be lots of fun. I hope he continues to tear it up in Carolina!
THE HAPPIEST OF HOURS. The Eleven Warriors staff has another big announcement: On Thursday, 12th Warriors will have the chance to go behind the scenes with an Ohio State legend as we continue the 12th Warrior Happy Hour, an exclusive new series where members of our selfless perks program have direct access to Buckeye greats in a live, exclusive Q&A.
Following Andy Katzenmoyer and J.K. Dobbins, Maurice Clarett headlines our third Happy Hour. The national champion running back will join us at 5 p.m.
During the relaxed, interactive experience, 12th Warriors will hear untold stories, have the opportunity to ask questions and connect with Ohio State history like never before. It's our way of saying thank you for backing independent coverage, representing 11W and being like the great state of Ohio — The Heart of It All.
So, 12th Warriors, select a drink of choice, log on and let’s make some memories. We'll share further details in the Premium Lounge.
Not a 12th Warrior?
It's a great time to join.
For $85 a year (just 23 cents a day), you can join a selfless perks program designed to flip the paywall system, keeping our coverage free for all, by paying it forward. Membership includes perks like admission to 12th Warrior Happy Hour, a voucher for $40 off a purchase from Eleven Warriors Dry Goods, access to the fabled Premium Lounge and more.
Want to chat with Clarett, help the site and score other perks? Sign up to become a 12th Warrior!
DAILY DUBCAST. Today's Eleven Dubcast welcomes recruiting insider Garrick Hodge to discuss what kind of an impact the result of Ohio State's game against Texas could have on the prospects the Buckeyes will host for the season opener.
SONG OF THE DAY. “Hollywood” - The Figs.
CUT TO THE CHASE. With one colossal mistake, the NCAA lost control of college football... Czech zoo welcomes 4 rare Barbary lion cubs whose population is extinct in the wild... A speeding motorist driving at 199 mph on Germany’s Autobahn is fined more than $1,000... Seattle NHL team’s mascot has a close encounter with a brown bear during video shoot in Alaska.
