The Weekender: Senior Bowl Standouts, Pro Bowl Woes, and Hockey Takes Over Happy Valley
Senior Bowl Turns into a Defensive Showcase
Saturday’s Senior Bowl wasn’t about fireworks-it was about grit. The annual all-star game for NFL draft hopefuls turned into a defensive slugfest, with the American team grinding out a 17-9 win over the National squad. For a handful of former Ohio State players, it was a chance to show NFL scouts what they bring to the table-and for one LSU quarterback, it was a coming-out party.
Garrett Nussmeier, who had already impressed during the week of practice, made the most of his limited snaps. He went 5-of-8 for 57 yards and capped off his day with a rushing touchdown that helped seal his MVP honors. The playmaking, the poise, the control-Nussmeier didn’t just manage the game, he took command of it.
On the ground, the American team found a rhythm thanks to a pair of backs who made the most of their touches. Kaelon Black out of Indiana looked sharp, picking up 45 yards on eight carries. And Oklahoma’s Jadyn Ott, who’d been relatively quiet the past two seasons after a standout year at Cal, reminded everyone of his explosiveness with 42 yards and a touchdown on the same number of carries.
As for the Buckeyes in the game, it was a mixed bag. Offensive guard Ethan Onianwa logged 34 snaps but earned a 54.4 grade from Pro Football Focus-not the kind of number that jumps off the page, but one game rarely tells the full story for linemen.
Cornerback Davison Igbinosun, though, turned heads all week. He was a standout in one-on-one drills, showing the kind of speed and coverage instincts that NFL teams covet. Whether it was blanketing receivers or breaking up passes, Igbinosun looked the part of a Day 2 draft pick, maybe even higher if he keeps stacking performances like this.
Tight end Will Kacmarek also suited up for the American team, though his impact was more subtle. Still, for all three former Buckeyes, the week in Mobile was about more than just Saturday-it was about putting consistent reps on film in front of decision-makers.
Pro Bowl Games Continue to Lose Their Shine
Once upon a time, the Pro Bowl was a badge of honor. Now? It’s hard to say what it is.
The NFL’s annual all-star event has drifted so far from its original purpose that it’s almost unrecognizable. Once a celebration of the league’s best, it’s now a flag football game and skills showcase slotted into a Tuesday evening broadcast window. And when names like Joe Flacco and Shedeur Sanders are being added to the roster, it’s fair to ask: what are we even doing here?
Flacco, who hadn’t made a Pro Bowl in his long career, gets the nod in 2026 thanks to a wave of dropouts and Super Bowl absences. Sanders, meanwhile, steps in for Drake Maye, whose Patriots are headed to Super Bowl LX.
Problem is, neither Flacco nor Sanders started more than 10 games this past season. Sanders, in particular, struggled mightily-throwing 10 interceptions to just seven touchdowns in eight appearances for the Browns.
It’s not about the names, it’s about the standard. And right now, the Pro Bowl doesn’t seem to have one.
The NFL tried to inject new life into the format with the flag football pivot in 2025, but the results haven’t been great. Viewership dropped from 5.75 million in 2024 to 4.7 million in 2025. That’s a steep slide, and the trend’s been heading in the wrong direction ever since the league ditched the tackle format in 2023.
This year? The buzz is minimal.
The players are mostly replacements. And the fans?
They’re tuning out.
Hockey Takes Over Beaver Stadium
If you’re looking for a spectacle that did deliver this weekend, look no further than Happy Valley.
Penn State turned Beaver Stadium into a hockey cathedral, hosting No. 2 Michigan State in front of a raucous crowd of 74,575 fans.
That’s not just a solid turnout-that’s a statement. The Nittany Lions and Spartans brought the energy to match, too, battling to a 4-4 tie in regulation before Michigan State forward Charlie Stramel played hero in overtime.
Stramel’s game-winner completed a hat trick, and the moment couldn’t have been bigger. Under the lights, in front of nearly 75,000 fans, in one of college football’s most iconic venues-this was college hockey at its absolute best.
It’s the second straight year a Big Ten school has pulled off a spectacle like this. Last year, Ohio Stadium hosted a Stadium Series game between the Blue Jackets and Red Wings. Now Penn State has added its name to the list, and they did it in style.
Buckeyes Special Teams Getting a Makeover
Back in Columbus, Ohio State continues to retool its special teams unit-and the changes are coming fast.
The Buckeyes have already added kicker Connor Hawkins from Baylor and punter Brady Young from Houston Christian via the transfer portal. Now, Ryan Day is reportedly bringing in Robby Discher as a dedicated special teams coordinator. That’s a big move for a program that’s looking to tighten up the third phase of the game.
Day also made waves on his Friday radio show when he compared incoming freshman Legend Bey to none other than Tyreek Hill. That’s high praise-and a big spotlight-but Bey’s speed and agility are already drawing attention. There’s a real chance he could make an impact early, especially in the return game.
What’s Next
As the NFL calendar turns toward the Super Bowl and college football eyes spring practices, the offseason is heating up. Draft boards are shifting, rosters are being reshaped, and programs like Ohio State are already laying the groundwork for 2026.
Stay locked in. The next wave of stars is already making noise.