Welcome to the Skull Session.
Ohio State football is back... in business.
in business pic.twitter.com/UQHVZvSXT9
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) March 10, 2026
Have a good Wednesday.
THE X-FACTOR. Ryan Day said it. He said it out loud. For Ohio State to be successful next season, Julian Sayin needs to use his legs.
“We all know the ball comes out accurately (for him) throwing the football, but making an impact with his legs when appropriate, we know that that’s the X-factor that has to show up this year,” Day said. “He’s aware of that. He’s been working hard in the offseason.”
I told Dan Hope this on Press Coverage, but I think Arthur Smith will happily join Day in pushing Sayin to become a more willing runner. Smith’s most recent NFL stint was with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he had a mid-30s Russell Wilson and an early-40s Aaron Rodgers pick up yards with their legs when the situation demanded it. If Smith could convince those two to run in the National Football League, I’m sure he can persuade an early-20s Julian Sayin to do the same in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
https://t.co/H7N09qeJmL pic.twitter.com/7zDi3Sua33
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) March 10, 2026
“When you look at where he’s had his meetings in all of his career, he’s always with the quarterbacks,” Day said of Smith. “But he’s an offensive lineman at heart, so he knows how it all comes together. And the way he teaches quarterbacks, too, in the run game is (great). He’s the run game coordinator. He’s making checks based on what’s going on and has to equate numbers.”
If Sayin proves he can make plays with his legs this season, the 2025 Heisman Trophy finalist would take his game to the next level — or, as Ryan Day said while referencing Super Mario Bros. on Tuesday, Sayin would “level up.” Even becoming a modest dual-threat would unlock new layers in Arthur Smith’s first offense at Ohio State.
“It’s been great to be around him and throw different ideas off of him — and him learning the college game because it is a little bit different,” Day said. “I know the guys in that (quarterback) room are learning a lot from him.”
BEST IN AMERICA. Some people think Mick Marotti is a bad strength and conditioning coach. These are not serious people (who clearly didn’t watch Sonny Styles perform at the NFL Combine or see photos and video of Jeremiah Smith on the Ohio State practice field Tuesday).
When a reporter asked Ryan Day about his players’ physical development during offseason workouts with Marotti, he did not hesitate to call the 60-year-old the best strength and conditioning coach in college football.
“Mick Marotti and his staff are just, I mean — I’m not with everybody in the country, and I don’t get a chance to see what they do, but if they’re better than what Mick does in that room, I tip my hat to them because I can’t imagine there’s anybody better,” Day said. “What Mick does in there with his staff is tremendous. We had a huge champions meeting (on Monday), and the growth that these guys made physically was tangible.”
Ryan Day said there are several benefits to Marotti’s demanding offseason program. One of the biggest is how it brings the team closer together. With 51 new players on the roster in 2026, Day said that sense of unity has been more important this offseason than ever before.
“With half the team being new, there’s a camaraderie being built right now that’s important,” Day said. “True love and brotherhood are when your brother makes a play and you’re just as happy for him as if you made the play yourself. The guy that I use all the time is TreVeyon (Henderson). When Quinshon (Judkins) would score a touchdown, he was more happy for Quinshon than himself. … If we have that same mentality entering this season, then we’ll have a chance. But so much of (those relationships start) in the weight room.”
Day said Marotti will continue to challenge players between now and the spring game on April 18.
“I told the guys right there, ‘You only got 14 (practices) left.’ You only get 15 in the spring. These go fast. We got to do a great job on the off days of making the corrections but also spending time in the building and connecting with the guys on the team.
“The connection of the team will be important, which we know in today’s game is different than what it’s been in the past. Usually, you would grow up with these guys, and in year three or four, you’ve been with them two, three, four and sometimes five years. That’s not really the case anymore because of the turnover we’re seeing with the structure of everything.”
Day is confident the team will develop strong bonds before the 2026 campaign begins.
“It is a big challenge, but I really like this team,” he said. “I like the guys. I like their energy. I like their competitiveness, seriousness. It’s a mature group. But we haven’t been together very long, so we got work to do.”
I am a simple man.
If Day likes it, I like it!
That applies to Marotti’s strength and conditioning program and the 2026 Buckeyes!
HONORING JIM STONE. Ohio State athletics and Eleven Warriors mourn the passing of 26-year women’s volleyball coach Jim Stone, who died Tuesday after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 73.
Stone served as Ohio State’s head coach from 1982-2007. The longest-tenured coach in program history — and one of the school’s longest-tenured coaches in any sport — Stone compiled a 521-294 record during his tenure, leading the Buckeyes to three Big Ten titles and 15 NCAA tournaments, including semifinals appearances in 1991 and 1994.
He ranks fifth in Big Ten wins and Big Ten championships all-time. He was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011 and the American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2021.
Rest in Peace to legendary coach Jim Stone.
— Ohio State Women's Volleyball (@OhioStateWVB) March 10, 2026
Stone left a lasting impression not only on Ohio State but the entire volleyball community https://t.co/clBhjFBjQZ pic.twitter.com/wev5iifI8s
“Jim Stone dedicated much of his life and career to Ohio State women’s volleyball,” current head coach Jen Flynn Oldenburg said in a statement on Tuesday. “Jim accumulated many awards as leader of the Buckeyes; leading two teams to the only Final Fours in program history. He coached numerous All-Americans, All-Region and All-Big Ten student-athletes.
“Jim didn’t coach for accolades, though. He was a teacher and he was very passionate and intentional about the process of becoming great. After retiring from Ohio State, Jim continued to stay in the game in the USA High Performance pipeline, speaking at clinics, authoring an e-book on practice essentials and never stopped sharing his knowledge and insight in the volleyball world.”
To close her statement, Oldenburg, who played four standout seasons under Stone from 1996-99, thanked her head coach for all he’d done for her over the past 30 years.
“I was fortunate not only to have him as my coach, but as a mentor and eventually a friend. Jim’s impact on my career and my life is immeasurable. I truly believe I would not be in the position I am in without his wisdom, guidance and support. Jim left a lasting impression not only on Ohio State but on the entire volleyball community.”
Rest in peace, Jim.
You will be missed.
SUPER EASY, BARELY AN INCONVENIENCE! I’ve written about the Eleven Warriors x High Bank Distillery Mash Madness a few times now. Some of you will be there; others have to tend to their land, their oxen or their new spouse — you know, the whole laundry list of excuses.
But…
Would you tend to other things if you had the chance to win free tickets to Mash Madness?
Hm?
With the Barrel Room Watch Party now eight days away, we’re giving away five four-packs to Mash Madness, where you can enjoy all-you-can-eat nachos, wings, hot dogs and salad as you watch NCAA Tournament basketball and play special games to win special prizes.
To enter the giveaway, follow these Instagram accounts: High Bank Distillery, High Bank Distillery Co. and Eleven Warriors. Then, like the post and tag three friends in the comments that you’d bring with you. Must be 18+ to enter.
Learn more at highbankdistillery.com/mashmadness.
Let the madness begin!
SONG OF THE DAY. "Chance Encounter" - Penelope Road.
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