Welcome to the Skull Session.
I don't talk about the Columbus Blue Jackets much in the Skull Session, but, man, oh, man — is this one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history?
Is this actually the most disappointing season in #CBJ history?
— Nasher (@TheNasher61) April 14, 2026
2nd in the Metro with 11 games remaining
Win 4-5 out of 11, you make the Playoffs.
They won 2. All we needed was mediocrity for 11 games and we couldnt even get that.
It certainly feels like it!
Have a good Tuesday.
THAT’S ONE WAY TO DO IT. Many have noticed that Ohio State players are sporting nameplates on the back of their helmets this spring. While the assumption was it helped coaches and staff sort through a roster featuring 51 new players, Ryan Day confirmed as much on Monday.
“I don’t know if you remember, but when we used to go to preseason camp, when everybody used to show up in the summers, I remember when I first showed up at camp, I had a box fan, I met my roommate, I stayed in a dorm and I got a piece of white tape on the front of my helmet that said ‘Day.’ Everybody said, ‘Day, get over here.’ Well, now, we wear the Guardian caps, so you can’t really put anybody’s name on the front. (Ohio State director of football equipment services) Kevin Ries was creative in how he did that, so that’s what we’re doing this spring.”
Creative, indeed.
Effective, too.
WHO TELLS YOUR STORY. I write about Jeremiah Smith a lot. Sometimes I wonder if I should write about him less. Then I remember he’s on track to shatter just about every record in Ohio State’s storied football history, and I laugh. We don’t know how good we have it with No. 4. And we probably won’t until he’s gone.
When asked Monday about Smith’s leadership entering his third season at Ohio State, Ryan Day said he’s been impressed with how Smith continues to come out of his shell. Two years ago, he was a quiet 18-year-old from Miami Gardens, Florida. Now, he’s a 20-year-old Buckeye — and a leader of men.
“Well, Jeremiah is sort of a man of few words, but he’s found his voice more and more. I’ve noticed the last few practices, even when the twos and threes are in there, he’s near the huddle, he’s listening to the call, he’s encouraging them, he’s coaching them and he’s there. Leaders have to be felt. Leaders have to be heard. That’s just how it goes.”
“He’s making a conscious effort to do that, and I think the guys see that. What he’s done since he stepped into this building is he’s practiced really hard and set an example of discipline and how you practice, and when your best players are your hardest workers, it gives you a chance to build a culture. He’s done that with a giant check mark from the day he walked in until just his practice today.”
Believe it or not, Smith is still far from a finished product. Even the best player in college football has areas to grow.
“I think where he’s really working on is being felt and heard in terms of encouraging guys, pushing guys, being that leader and having an impact and having a connection with guys. He’s definitely made an effort. You can see it,” Day said. “We’re going to need that. The leadership, as well as know, is critical. People talk about it all the time, but where this leadership takes us will ultimately be what writes the story.”
Day then widened the lens. For Ohio State to reach its goals this season, leadership can’t come from just one player.
“It’s typically the guys in the (front row of meetings),” he explained. “They’ve been in the program for three or four years, or they’re coming in as veteran guys from other programs that have to earn the trust of the guys in the room and then lead the way. But leadership doesn’t necessarily have to be the older guys. There are ways to do that with some of the younger guys as well. We did vote on our leadership committee and that group will come together now and they’re gonna lead us into the summer and be the guys that we count on to be the voice of the team.”
Who lives?
Who dies?
Who tells your story?
The Buckeyes told their own in 2024.
Two years later, it’s time to write another.
CLASS SUPERLATIVES. As a senior in high school, I was voted the friendliest, most dependable, handsome and athletic person in my class — and the most humble.
None of that is true.
In fact, I didn’t receive any senior superlatives.
Yes, very sad. Anyway.
ESPN’s Matt Bowen handed out 100 superlatives for the 2026 NFL draft class. Five Buckeyes earned six of the awards.
Best Route Runner: Carnell Tate
A glider with separation ability at multiple levels of the field, Tate is well-versed in manipulating man coverage in the route stem. He caught 51 passes for nine touchdowns last season.
Most Explosive Pass Rusher: Arvell Reese
A versatile linebacker/pass rusher with a long 6-4 frame and 4.46 speed, Reese fits the profile of a chaos creator. He's an explosive mover who can win on the edges or create favorable matchups as a stand-up defensive tackle. Reese had 6.5 sacks last season.
Best Run Stopper: Kayden McDonald
With more range than a traditional nose tackle, McDonald has the power and foot speed to make impact plays as a run defender. He made 17 run stops in 2025, which tied for 21st in the FBS.
Fastest Closing Speed to Ballcarrier: Sonny Styles
Styles runs clean lines at the second level, using his short-area speed to arrive at the ball. Plus, he can close the edges on perimeter concepts. Styles ran a 4.46 in the 40-yard dash at the combine.
Best Coverage Instincts: Caleb Downs
Downs unpacks route combinations with speed, which allows him to cut or drive on crossers and over routes from depth. Plus, he can anticipate breaks in man coverage to stay connected with receivers.
Best Safety in Run Support: Caleb Downs
Quick to diagnose the run, Downs can patrol the edges of the formation from slot/overhang alignments. And he plays downhill from depth to make stops. He has had 86 tackles on designed rushes over the past three seasons.
It’s no surprise Downs was the only Buckeye to earn two superlatives.
He’s the best player in the draft!
GO FALCONS. Former Ohio State running back and Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George led Bowling Green to a 4-8 record in his debut season as head coach. While the results fell short of expectations, George remains committed to building a winning culture in Northwest Ohio.
In 2026, he’ll have some familiar help. Former Buckeye teammate Lorenzo Styles Sr. has joined George’s staff in an effort to accelerate that vision.
And the Styles family impact might not stop there.
Last week, Lorenzo Styles Jr. and Sonny Styles visited Bowling Green’s campus, where the two future NFL prospects addressed George’s coaching staff and players following a team practice.
Big thank you to @sonnystyles_ and @LorenzoStyles_ for talking to the team after today's practice!
— BGSU Football (@BG_Football) April 11, 2026
#GUTS pic.twitter.com/Ml9OSzdA1K
That's pretty cool.
SONG OF THE DAY. "WASH" - Jon Bellion.
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