Welcome to the latest edition of the Skull Session, where we dissect the latest news and developments in the world of sports. Today, we're diving into the NFL, college football, and basketball, with a special focus on the Cleveland Browns and Ohio State Buckeyes.
Denzel Ward's Future
One of the most intriguing stories of the week involves Denzel Ward, the star cornerback for the Cleveland Browns. After the team traded away two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, Ward made it clear that he still wants to remain with the franchise.
"I definitely still want to be here," Ward said at his inaugural celebrity softball game. "Myles is a good friend of mine, a great teammate, but things aren’t lost. It’s Ohio against the world. So people could doubt us, but we’re going out there still trying to play our best ball and bring wins to the city."
With Garrett gone, Ward becomes the longest-tenured player on the Browns, having been with the franchise for eight years. The Northeast Ohio native has two years remaining on the five-year, $100 million contract extension he signed in April 2022. There is no guaranteed money remaining on the deal.
Browns general manager Andrew Berry reinforced Ward's importance to the team, stating, "He is a big part of the team, and we like him a lot. He’s still playing at a really high level. That doesn’t change with this transaction."
As a Buckeye through and through, Ward's desire to stay in Cleveland brings me some joy. The town will be just fine as long as the Warden is in charge.
Paul Keels' Hall of Fame Induction
In other news, longtime "Voice of the Buckeyes" Paul Keels was inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame. Keels, who has served as the play-by-play voice for Buckeye football and men's basketball since 1998, was the only broadcaster selected for the 2026 induction class.
Keels' broadcasting career began in 1979 at WLW Radio in Cincinnati, where he worked as a news anchor and reporter. He later moved to Detroit, calling Detroit Pistons games and handling Michigan football and basketball broadcasts. After a short stop in Washington, D.C., Keels returned to Cincinnati, covering the Bearcats and hosting a sports talk show.
In addition to his nearly three decades as the voice of Ohio State athletics, Keels spent 10 years as a Bengals preseason television announcer and contributed to Cincinnati Reds television broadcasts.
Keels' induction into the hall of fame is well-deserved, as he has been one of the best in his field for decades.
Vuk Lazarevic's Jersey Number
Speaking of the Buckeyes, the men's basketball roster is official, and the jersey numbers for the seven newcomers have been assigned. One of the most intriguing details is that freshman Vuk Lazarevic will wear No. 88.
Lazarevic, a 7-foot-1 Gigantor from Serbia, will be one of the easiest players to spot when he checks into a game this winter. His unique number makes him stand out, and he may even be the only player in college basketball wearing No. 88.
Bruce Thornton's Record-Breaking Season
Finally, we wrap up the basketball notes with Bruce Thornton's record-breaking season. Thornton, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound guard, averaged 15.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists while shooting 48.6% from the floor and 38.1% from beyond the arc across four seasons at Ohio State.
His best season came in 2025-26, when he averaged 19.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game while shooting 55.4% from the field and 40% from 3-point range. Thornton's program-record 2,164 points are now permanently etched inside the Schottenstein Center.
ESPN's latest Big Board ranks Thornton as the No. 52 overall prospect in the 2026 NBA draft, solidifying his place in Buckeye basketball history.
