Welcome to the Skull Session.
Ohio State is so good — even a Michigan Man knows it!
"I gotta get rid of my biases... I'll take a bunch of Ohio State guys cause they can play football."
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) April 29, 2026
Raiders GM and Michigan alum John Spytek on why he didn't draft any Wolverines @jspytek42 | @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/U9Q3kEkUCS
Have a good Thursday.
I AM. I opened Wednesday’s Skull Session with a clip of Sonny Styles jokingly calling Carnell Tate “Jeremiah’s teammate” ahead of the 2026 NFL draft — a moment pulled from Bleacher Report’s look Inside the 2026 NFL Draft with a Top Prospect.
Here’s the full video, plus a breakdown of the best moments:
- 2:00 — Styles shows off the inside of his suit jacket, lined with photos of him and his family over the years, along with a childhood poem he wrote titled “I Am.” It’s a small detail, but it says a lot about what’s driven him to this point.
- 4:30 — Styles shares that someone prank-called his father, posing as an NFL general manager and claiming “their team” planned to trade up for him.
- 4:54 — The now-viral moment: Styles refers to Tate as “Jeremiah’s teammate.”
- 5:56 — Styles tells Ryan Day he expects the Titans, Giants, Commanders or Saints to draft him. He ends up landing with Washington at No. 7 overall.
- 6:35 — Styles and his family wait in the Green Room. You can feel the tension — not knowing where he’ll go, while also watching teammates like Tate, Arvell Reese and Caleb Downs come off the board early.
- 7:40 — His reaction to Tate’s selection
- 8:28 — His reaction to Reese’s selection
- 9:13 — The call from Washington. A genuinely cool moment.
- 10:45 / 10:51 — Ryan Day and Caleb Downs congratulate Styles. Another great glimpse behind the scenes.
From the suit lining to the draft call, it’s clear this wasn’t just a moment for Styles — it was the culmination of a vision he’s carried for years. And if the video proves anything, it’s that the same intentionality and edge that took him to Columbus and into the top 10 is exactly what he’ll bring with him to Washington.
DOWNLOADING DATA. Caleb Downs has a long list of elite traits.
At the top of it?
His intelligence.
That’s not a hot take.
Last week, Dallas Cowboys college scout Brett Maxie II said on 105.3 The Fan that Downs’ perception is on another level. “As the game goes on, he’s just downloading what the offense is doing,” Maxie said.
Film Watchers’ Pete Herzog illustrated that perfectly in a pre-draft social media breakdown.
@film.watchers1 Caleb Downs is a smart football player #nfl #fyp #nfldraft #footballanalysis #filmbreakdown original sound - Film Watchers
The only downside to that video is having to relive the Cotton Bowl while watching it. Otherwise, 10/10, no notes.
A JOB WELL DONE. Ohio State assistant director of creative media Dom Guerrera pulled back the curtain this week with a behind-the-scenes look at the Buckeyes’ NFL draft videos — and the scope of the project is incredible.
12 players | 32 teams | 384 videos prepped to send the moment their name pick is announced
— Dom Guerrera (@domguerrera24) April 29, 2026
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unreal engine, blender, marvelous designer, mixamo, after effects, premiere, photoshop https://t.co/8PGfjFbCfO pic.twitter.com/ID7UqUfhwT
12 players.
32 teams.
384 videos.
Every single one ready for the moment a Buckeye heard his name called.
Guerrera broke down how he brought it all together using Unreal Engine, Blender, Marvelous Designer, Mixamo, After Effects, Premiere and Photoshop.
quick breakdown pic.twitter.com/YJztCHb1oD
— Dom Guerrera (@domguerrera24) April 29, 2026
Work like this doesn’t always get the spotlight it deserves, but that’s not the case here at Eleven Warriors — and certainly not in this Skull Session. Guerrera and the creative team crushed it, and it’s worth recognizing.
ONE OF THE HOGS. Eleven Warriors has another big announcement. On May 7, 12th Warriors will have the chance to go behind the scenes with an Ohio State legend as we continue our 12th Warrior Happy Hour, an exclusive series where members of our perks program get direct access to Buckeye greats in a live Q&A.
Following Andy Katzenmoyer, J.K. Dobbins, Maurice Clarett and Michael Jenkins, Jim Lachey headlines our fifth Happy Hour. The All-American offensive lineman — and, later, a Super Bowl champion and three-time All-Pro with the Washington Redskins and the Ohio State football radio color commentator — will join us virtually at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 7.
During the relaxed, interactive experience, 12th Warriors will hear untold stories, 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 perks program designed to flip the paywall system, keeping our coverage free for all, by paying it forward. Membership perks include admission to our 12th Warrior Happy Hours, a $40 voucher to Eleven Warriors Dry Goods, access to the Premium Lounge and more.
Want to chat with Lachey, help the site and score other perks?
Become a 12th Warrior now!
SONG OF THE DAY. "Joy Of My Life" - Chris Stapleton.
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