Welcome to the Skull Session.
The Indiana Hoosiers are national champions — in football!
THE INDIANA HOOSIERS ARE NATIONAL CHAMPS
— ESPN (@espn) January 20, 2026
ONE OF THE GREATEST TURNAROUND STORIES IN SPORTS HISTORY IS COMPLETE pic.twitter.com/Z0LbYUPBmh
Have a good Tuesday.
ONE OF THE ALL-TIME GREATS. After Jeremiah Smith appeared on I AM ATHLETE last week, Caleb Downs followed suit. Road to Glory, a series sponsored by EA Sports College Football 26, used the same format as Smith’s episode, with former Clemson running back Darien Rencher interviewing the Ohio State star about his life on and off the field.
Unlike Smith’s episode, which included the wide receiver breaking down his decision to flip off Michigan fans in Ann Arbor, Downs’ appearance didn’t have a Skull Session-defining moment. Still, the Buckeye safety said plenty that made for fun conversation.
When asked to name his Ohio State Mount Rushmore, Downs began with the obvious choice: Archie Griffin. His next three selections are debatable — as are all Mount Rushmore answers outside of the two-time Heisman Trophy winner — as Downs picked Troy Smith, Braxton Miller and, a name I seldom hear during this exercise, Chase Young.
Later in the episode, Downs said his favorite game at Ohio Stadium was Ohio State’s win over Indiana in 2024, largely because of his punt return touchdown that ended a 10-year drought for the Buckeyes. He added that the score was his favorite play in the Horseshoe, followed by his interceptions against Michigan in 2024 and Penn State in 2025.
Downs also correctly identified The Game as the best rivalry in college football. Having played in the Iron Bowl as a freshman, he said Alabama-Auburn comes close. He ranked the Red River Rivalry (Texas-Oklahoma) No. 3 and rattled off several candidates for No. 4, including UNC-NC State (because his brother played at UNC and his father played at N.C. State), USC-Notre Dame, Clemson-South Carolina and Florida-Florida State.
Finally, Downs named the four receivers he most wants to face in the NFL: former Buckeyes Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Emeka Egbuka, Puka Nacua and his brother, Josh.
“I’m gonna slam him,” Caleb said of facing Josh, laughing. “I’m gonna slam him.”
DEVELOPED HERE. Caleb Downs is one of four Buckeyes that ESPN’s Field Yates ranked among his top 10 prospects for the 2026 NFL draft. Downs checked in at No. 3, behind No. 2 Arvell Reese and ahead of No. 9 Carnell Tate and No. 10 Sonny Styles.
No. 2 Arvell Reese
Few players boosted their draft stock more than Reese this season. He not only moved into a full-time starting role but also played a higher percentage of snaps at outside linebacker versus inside linebacker. (Reese played 67.5% of his snaps as an inside linebacker in 2024 to just 37.7% in 2025.) He has excellent length and an unmistakable burst off the edge, making him a nightmare assignment for offensive tackles. Reese has the ability to bend, torque and close the gap and impact QBs in the pocket. With 6.5 sacks in 2025, I think Reese is suited for a full-time rusher role in the NFL. But his versatility will be a plus for whichever team picks him.
No. 3 Caleb Downs
The last safety drafted in the top 10 was Jamal Adams in 2017 (No. 6 overall). Downs is positioned to end that streak, seeming to have zero weaknesses. He can wreak havoc near the line of scrimmage as a run defender and play coverage underneath. He has the speed and acceleration to be a capable blitzer if called upon. He can also easily patrol the deep middle portion of the field.
It is rare for a safety to be a tone-setter for a defense, but Downs fits into that category. He was an instant contributor and leader at Alabama as a freshman before he transferred to Ohio State for two seasons. He is a hard-hitting tackler who can change the complexion of any NFL defense upon arrival, and he finished 2025 with 67 tackles and two interceptions.
No. 9 Carnell Tate
Tate is arguably the most pro-ready prospect in this class, and he's a lock to extend Ohio State's streak of first-round receivers to five straight drafts -- a feat that's already an NFL record for a single college. He can stretch the field, hauling in a 40-plus-yard catch in six of 11 games this season, but the hallmark of his game is how effortless he makes it all look. Tate is a detailed route runner who did not drop a single pass in the 2023 or 2025 seasons. His terrific body control and contested catch skills flashed on sideline routes. He finished the year with 875 yards and nine scores.
No. 10 Sonny Styles
Styles is a former safety whose range and coverage skills shine on tape. He can cover a ton of ground in a hurry, making him a scheme fit for pretty much any team and giving him an advantage against athletic NFL tight ends. Styles showed off timing and anticipation as a blitzer during the 2024 season, helping him reach six sacks and eight pressures. His great length has made his transition to a new position look easy.
Like ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., Yates also included positional rankings with his top 25 prospects. The expanded list featured two additional Buckeyes beyond Reese, Downs, Tate and Styles: Max Klare, ranked as the fourth-best tight end, and Kayden McDonald, ranked as the second-best defensive tackle.
That's a lot of talent headed to the NFL. Surely, Ohio State won't be able to reload with talent and be the No. 1 team in America next season... And don't call me Shirley.
PORTAL AFTERMATH. Buckeye Huddle’s Tony Gerdeman shared an informative table detailing the production Ohio State gained and lost in the transfer portal this offseason.
Portal Aftermath: Comparing What Ohio State Lost To What They Added https://t.co/GcjQOSUiBn pic.twitter.com/v4SzItC8Vt
— Tony Gerdeman (@TonyGerdeman) January 18, 2026
Despite adding 16 transfers while losing 31 scholarship players to the portal, the Buckeyes came out the other end with 362 more tackles, 37.5 more tackles for loss, 13 more sacks, 1 more rushing yard, 200 more receptions, 2,280 more receiving yards, 27 more touchdowns and 115 more starts.
Is that good?
That seems good!
THEY ARE NO. 1! On3 college football writers Chris Low, Brett McMurphy, Pete Nakos, JD PicKell, Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman created a consensus top 25 poll for next season, and the World Famous Ohio State Buckeyes landed at No. 1.
Four schools received first-place votes, and 39 teams received votes overall. Only the top 14 teams appeared on every ballot.
“Ohio State was the top choice of Chris Low, JD PicKell and Andy Staples,” McMurphy wrote. “Georgia received Pete Nakos’ No. 1 ranking, while Ari Wasserman picked Texas and Brett McMurphy chose Notre Dame as their top teams.”
Here’s what Low wrote about the Buckeyes as his top team:
Having the top pass-catch combo in college football is always a good place to start. Julian Sayin returns at quarterback and Jeremiah Smith at receiver. They hooked up for 12 touchdowns in 2025. Running back Bo Jackson, after rushing for 1,090 yards and earning true freshman All-America honors, is also returning, along with the left side of the offensive line and center Carson Hinzman. The Buckeyes lost a ton on defense, so bringing back defensive end Kenyatta Jackson after his breakout 2025 season was a big win for Ryan Day. The Buckeyes are hopeful Alabama transfer Qua Russaw can add some pass-rushing punch.
For the past three years, I’ve made a habit of spending the day after the national championship game collecting way-too-early polls from outlets like ESPN, The Athletic and USA TODAY. I’ll do that again this year, so be on the lookout for it later this morning once all the polls roll in.
SONG OF THE DAY. "Fernando" - ABBA.
CUT TO THE CHASE. The Big Ten wins its third straight national championship in football... Big Ten koozies are being sold at the College Football Hall of Fame gift shop without the Michigan logo... Bills fire coach Sean McDermott after 9 seasons of falling short of reaching the Super Bowl... Nick Foles had a perfect message for Broncos fans after Bo Nix injury.
