Skull Session: Davison Igbinosun and Ja’Had Carter are more than quick fixes, Dawand Jones is a massive human and Ohio State’s football attendance is up in 2022

Skull Session: Davison Igbinosun and Ja’Had Carter are more than quick fixes, Dawand Jones is a massive human and Ohio State’s football attendance is up in 2022

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Skull Session: Davison Igbinosun and Ja’Had Carter are more than quick fixes, Dawand Jones is a massive human and Ohio State’s football attendance is up in 2022

Garrett Wilson needs YOU to help him win the NFL’s illustrious Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Year award.

Will you vote for him?

You can also vote for Chris Olave while you’re at it. One of them will lose, which is a shame, but at least one Buckeye can win!

Let’s have a good Wednesday, shall we?

FILL GAPS. Former cornerback Ole Miss Davison Igbinosun, the best player left in the transfer portal, embarked on Tuesday at Ohio State in what was perhaps the biggest BOOM of the offseason for the Buckeyes.

Of course, the return of players like Steele Chambers, Miyan Williams, Cade Stover, Xavier Johnson, Tommy Eichenberg and Josh Proctor was also a massive BOOM for Ohio State. Still, something about the addition of Igbinosun — and that of security Ja’Had Carter — speaks to me more about the direction of defense in 2023 and beyond. And I have three reasons to believe it.

First, both have always been Power 5 talents. Igbinosun was a top 20 cornerback rookie in the 2022 class. Carter was ranked as the No. 2 prep school prospect in the class. 2020.

Second, both have already proven they can perform at Power 5 level. Igbinosun started 10 games as a true rookie for Ole Miss, recording 37 tackles and five pass breakups. Carter started in 28 of his 31 games for Syracuse, collecting 138 tackles, five interceptions, 12 pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one touchdown.

Third, and arguably most important, is the remaining eligibility Igbinson and Carter can use as Buckeyes. Igbinson will be able to play three seasons in the scarlet and gray. Carter could play two seasons, one as a senior and another if he chooses to use his COVID year.

When I combine all of these points, I believe it tells me that Ryan Day and Jim Knowles wanted defensive players in the Portal who were talented, experienced and, most importantly, here to stay.

It’s no secret that the secondary was the hole in Ohio State’s defense last season, and the additions of Igbinosun and Carter aren’t a quick patch job to cover it like something you would see an owner do on a college campus. No, these players are there to fill in the gaps. And that should get all Buckeye fans excited as the team heads into 2023.

DAWAND JONES → THANOS. Reese’s Senior Bowl released Dawand Jones’ measurements on Tuesday, and they have to be seen to be believed.

Talk about a massive Human.

Does anyone know if his birth certificate (if he even has one) is from Indianapolis, Indiana? Are we sure it doesn’t say Titan? Because I think maybe we’re looking at Thanos disguised as an Ohio State offensive lineman.

According to The Dummy Drafts DatabaseJones’ measurements from his weigh-in are among the best percentiles for an offensive lineman dating back to 1999, along with his height (96th percentile), weight (99th), hand (98th), arm (99th), and his wingspan (100th) all ranking near the top of measured prospects at the NFL combine over the past 23 years.

Jones’ wingspan of 89.5 inches is also expected to be the longest ever at the NFL combine. And it is verified. His wingspan is 2.5 inches longer than NBA champion and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, after all. And a friendly reminder that Antetokounmpo is seven feet tall and nicknamed the “Greek Freak”.

As for his hands, look at them when pressed against a “normal” human’s hand.

As for his Senior Bowl play, well, Jones got off to a phenomenal start. A widely projected second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the buzz of his size and performance in Mobile, Alabama, should only improve his draft stock, meaning Ohio State could add another first-round selection to the record. books on April 27.

TBDFITL. Attendance at Ohio State football games grew more than 8.17% from 2021 to 2022, proving the Buckeyes were in full force to support their favorite team last fall.

Ohio State’s regular season finale with Michigan drew the highest attendance with 106,787 in the shoe to watch the 118th running of The Game. The Buckeyes’ home and season opener against Notre Dame recorded the second-highest attendance at 106,594.

Overall, Ohio State has averaged 104,663 for its eight home games in 2022, which ranks behind only Michigan (110,246) and Penn State (107,379) for the most in college football. , according to 247Sports.

TOP 10 TEAMS BY AVERAGE HOME FREQUENCY IN 2022

RANK

THE SCHOOL

AVERAGE FREQUENCY

1

MICHIGAN

110,246

2

PENN STATE

107,379

3 OHIO STATE 104,663

4

USL

110,596

5

TENNESSEE

100,532

6

TEXAS

100 242

7

ALABAMA

98,981

8

TEXAS A&M

97 213

9

GEORGIA

92,746

ten

FLORIDA

87 180

While Ohio State ranked No. 3 in the rankings for 2022, “The Best Damn Fans in the Land” title will be tested in 2023, as bestsellers like Notre Dame and Michigan are not on the agenda to fill seats this fall.

Penn State is the Big Ticket™. But there’s also Youngstown State, Western Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan State, and Minnesota, and I think we all know those aren’t really Big Tickets™. Still, I’m confident that Buckeye Nation will show up.

A FRIENDLY REMINDER. Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s ranking among wide receivers heading into the 2023 NFL Draft has been a hot topic since early January as some analysts have JSN as No. 1 in the class while others have him as low as #3.

Ohio State football and its media team weighed in on the debate with a video on Tuesday. Whoever made it clear that JSN is, hands down, the best wide receiver to turn pro this year.

It seems some have forgotten how talented Smith-Njigba is and how productive he was during his tenure as Buckeye, namely his record second season in which he had 95 catches, 1,606 yards and nine touched down with Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave as well. demanding targets.

Still, the arguments will continue over his hamstring injury and yadda, yadda, yadda – whatever. The main thing is the following. Whoever writes JSN is ready to receive a player with the potential to be a star at the next level. My bet is that the potential turns into reality sooner rather than later.

SONG OF THE DAY. “The Internet” by Jon Bellion.

CUT TO HUNTING. Bring back sleep? Ambitious plan attracts investors, critics… Firefighters return from call to find fire in their own kitchen… ChatGPT maker releases AI detection tool… Pedal through the Cycling history at this Ohio bike museum… The girls’ basketball coach relieved of homework to pose as a 13-year-old player.

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