Skull Session: Family Led Matt Patricia to Choose Ohio State Over the NFL, Nate Ebner Calls Caleb Downs Generational Mentally, and Sonny Dykes Rips Former TCU QB Josh Hoover

By Chase Brown on March 27, 2026 at 4:55 am
Caleb Downs
Adam Cairns / Columbus Dispatch
6 Comments

Welcome to the Skull Session.

Michael Jenkins was back in the Woody on Thursday!

Once a Buckeye, always a Buckeye.

Have a good Friday.

 “OHIO STATE IS A SPECIAL PLACE.” The best word to describe Matt Patricia is authentic.

On Wednesday, Patricia conducted an entire interview arm-in-arm with Caleb Downs, proudly praising the Ohio State All-American after his standout performance at the Buckeyes’ pro day.

Less than 24 hours later, he was all smiles again following Ohio State’s fourth spring practice, chatting with players about how each of them can improve. That same grin remained as he stepped up to the podium to meet with reporters.

Then came the question from Eleven Warriors’ Dan Hope: Why sign a contract extension?

I loved Patricia's answer.

“Ohio State is a special place,” Patricia said. “Not only just the history and the tradition, the football program, the school, but just the people that are here and the kids that are here. Coach Day, having a chance to kind of have a little stability with my family — and it’s hard when you got to move your family around, your kids going to school and all that. We just had an unbelievable experience settling into Columbus. Everybody’s been so nice and welcoming, and it feels like home. So it’s a big deal. It’s a big deal for us to be in a place where everybody’s happy. It’s really important.”

For Patricia, it wasn’t just about football — it was about family and home.

After leading the No. 1 defense in college football last season, NFL teams came calling. He listened. He considered. But every conversation led him back to the same place.

Columbus. Ohio State. The World Famous Buckeyes.

“There were opportunities in the league, for sure, but we had just moved and the family was a big part of it and we got great kids here,” Patricia said. “Coach Day’s got a great staff, great culture. It wasn’t something where it was like, you are necessarily looking to leave, but you do have to listen to those things that do come up. I’m just glad we’re able to just kind of get everything worked out.”

To be where he wants to be, with the people he cares about, Patricia says he feels “very blessed.”

No, Coach — we are the blessed ones.

Because having a defensive coordinator who wants to be here?

That means everything.

 THANKS FOR THE PROMO, LOUIS. ESPN’s Louis Riddick is one of the most well-respected personalities in sports media. An analyst often linked to NFL front office openings, Riddick has remained with the Worldwide Leader, covering college and professional football. He was on the job Wednesday during Ohio State’s star-studded pro day.

Amid countless SportsCenter recordings I watched him tape on the Woody Hayes Athletic Center indoor practice field, Riddick was providing free publicity for Ryan Day, Mark Pantoni and the Buckeyes, reminding people (primarily NFL “experts” on social media) that Ohio State is NFLU.

Example No. 1:

And example Nos. 2 and 3:

I also appreciated this post from Riddick, who said his “highlight of the day” was running into his old Atlanta Falcons teammate, Lorenzo Styles Sr.

Good looks, Louis!

 “MENTALLY, HE’S GENERATIONAL.” Nate Ebner and Logan Ryan were teammates with the New England Patriots. This week, Ryan — now a CBS Sports analyst — texted Ebner, now an Ohio State assistant coach, asking about Caleb Downs. Specifically, he wanted to know what makes Downs special and whether the two-time unanimous All-American truly qualifies as generational.

Here’s what Ebner told him:

“Whatever you think about him physically, he’s exponentially more mentally. So, yes — mentally, he’s generational. I’ve never been around someone that young who understands the game at that level.”

No one around here needs convincing when it comes to Downs’ greatness, but it’s still notable to hear that level of respect from other high-level football minds. His impact goes beyond physical talent — it’s the total package.

 NOT ALWAYS SONNY IN TEXAS. Did you all see Sonny Dykes comments about Josh Hoover? They’re spicy!

In an interview that went viral this week, the TCU head coach took a pretty direct shot at his former quarterback — three months after Hoover transferred to Indiana to take over as the starter.

“Stats are stats, and I think Josh started 31 games here as a quarterback,” Dykes said. “And we turned the ball over 42 —”

He corrected himself. 

Not we but he.

“He turned the ball over 42 times in 31 starts,” Dykes said.

Woof.

Hoover spent four seasons at TCU and started three, completing 65.2% of his passes for 9,629 yards, 71 touchdowns and 33 interceptions, while adding 10 rushing scores. Rather than return to Fort Worth for his redshirt senior year, he hit the portal and landed at Indiana.

It’s hard to blame him. Under Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers have surged. Kurtis Rourke led Indiana to an 11-2 record and a CFP appearance in 2024, and Fernando Mendoza followed that up with a Heisman-winning season, a perfect 16-0 campaign and a national championship.

Still, I can see Dykes’ point of view.

Four years in the program, three as the face of it, and Hoover just up and leaves?

That has to sting.

For our purposes, though, here’s hoping Hoover continues to be a turnover machine. He can give the ball away all he wants — especially on Oct. 17, when Ohio State travels to Indiana for a Big Ten Championship Game rematch.

 NEW DUBCAST. The final Eleven Dubcast of the week welcomes back Dan Hope to discuss the second week of practice for Ohio State football this spring as relayed through team interviews during the week as well as a recap of the Buckeyes' pro day ahead of the NFL Draft.

 SONG OF THE DAY. "Jessie" - Couch.

 CUT TO THE CHASE. Shohei Ohtani leads MLB jersey sales heading into opening day for 3rd straight season... Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm sues his parents, accuses them of misusing his money... Netflix raises its subscription costs... again....A retired pitcher’s home with a gym inspired by Fenway asks $23 million... Giant robots battle it out in Detroit's Robowar.

6 Comments

Carnell Tate Keeps Showing Why He's the Top Receiver Prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, Regardless of 40 Time

Carnell Tate

Quick Hits: Matt Patricia Calls Ohio State “A Special Place,” James Smith Says His “Brother” Caleb Downs Convinced Him to Be a Buckeye

James Smith
View 6 Comments