C. In the wake of the 2025 NFL Draft, a trio of headlines are turning heads: former Ohio State stars Will Howard and Jack Sawyer are reuniting on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Emeka Egbuka is headed to Tampa Bay to join the Buccaneers, and the Arizona Cardinals just pulled off a branding shake-up that has left fans stunned—and talking.
Let’s dig into each storyline and what it means for the Buckeyes, the NFL, and the fans who live and breathe this game.
Will Howard and Jack Sawyer Reunite in Pittsburgh
When Will Howard transferred from Kansas State to Ohio State ahead of the 2024 season, many saw it as a temporary stop for a quarterback aiming to refine his game in a top-tier program before entering the NFL. What wasn’t expected was the bond he would form with defensive end Jack Sawyer—not just as teammates, but as leaders of a Buckeye squad loaded with NFL-level talent.
Fast forward to the 2025 NFL Draft, and it’s no coincidence that both Howard and Sawyer are headed to the same team—the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers used their second-round pick on Howard, who had an impressive showing at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine. Later in the third round, they snagged Sawyer, who slipped slightly in the draft due to concerns about his transition to the pro level but still carried immense upside.
Pittsburgh, long known for its blue-collar, defense-first identity, may have just found its next dynamic duo. Howard, a 6’5″ signal-caller with a cannon for an arm and improved poise in the pocket, gives the Steelers a real quarterback competition with Kenny Pickett no longer guaranteed to start. Sawyer, meanwhile, joins a defensive line rotation anchored by T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward, giving him mentors and a proven system in which to develop.
This move has been celebrated among Ohio State fans and Steelers faithful alike. It’s not often that a quarterback and a defensive end from the same college team end up with the same NFL franchise in the same draft. The two already shared a strong on-field relationship—Howard regularly credited Sawyer and the Buckeye defense for sharpening his skills in practice. Now, they’ll wear black and gold together, and Steeler Nation couldn’t be more excited.
Emeka Egbuka Leaves the Bucks for the Bucs
Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, long considered one of the most polished and pro-ready receivers to come out of Ohio State in recent years, has landed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs took Egbuka in the late first round, pairing him with quarterback Baker Mayfield (or possibly Kyle Trask, depending on training camp outcomes) in what could be a dynamic NFC South offense.
Egbuka’s time at Ohio State was occasionally overshadowed by superstar teammate Marvin Harrison Jr., but scouts and coaches knew better than to overlook him. With excellent hands, crisp route-running, and deceptive speed, Egbuka profiles as a day-one contributor who could thrive as a slot receiver or even as a WR2 alongside Mike Evans—if Evans stays in Tampa beyond 2025.
The Bucs’ selection of Egbuka signals a firm commitment to reloading their receiving corps. Chris Godwin’s role has fluctuated due to injuries, and Russell Gage has yet to show consistent production. In Egbuka, the Buccaneers believe they’ve added not just a reliable target, but a culture-changing player with a tireless work ethic and a high football IQ.
Emeka’s transition to the NFL may be smoother than many expect. The Buckeye pedigree for wide receivers—think Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba—is unmatched. Egbuka could be the next in that long line of first-round WRs who find instant success in the league.
The Arizona Cardinals Become the…
Here’s where things take an unexpected turn.
In a surprise announcement that few saw coming, the Arizona Cardinals unveiled a sweeping rebrand this week—not just in logos or uniforms, but in name. That’s right: the Arizona Cardinals will no longer be known by their avian moniker. The franchise, originally founded as the Morgan Athletic Club in 1898 and eventually taking the Cardinals name in Chicago, is dropping the identity it’s held since 1901.
Say hello to the Arizona Phoenix.
Yes, you read that right. The team is leaning into its home state’s mythology and symbolism, choosing the mythical firebird as its new identity. According to team officials, the change is aimed at breathing new life into the franchise, which has endured decades of inconsistency, underachievement, and fan apathy.
The rebrand includes a fiery new logo—an abstract, rising phoenix with outstretched wings—and a red, gold, and charcoal color scheme designed to evoke the Arizona desert and the heat from which a new identity is born.
Reception has been mixed, to say the least.
Some fans are praising the bold move, calling it an exciting shift for a team that desperately needed a new narrative. Others are calling it an unnecessary gimmick that disrespects a rich (if rocky) football history. Either way, the Cardinals—sorry, the Phoenix—have guaranteed that all eyes will be on them when the 2025 season kicks off.
The franchise’s owner, Michael Bidwill, addressed the media with confidence:
“We’re not turning our back on our past. We’re forging a new path forward. The phoenix is a symbol of rebirth. That’s exactly what we aim to do—rise again, stronger than before.”
It’s a risky move, no doubt. But for a team that’s struggled to maintain relevance, it might just be the spark needed to ignite something new.
Buckeyes Dominate NFL Headlines Once Again
As always, it wouldn’t be a draft cycle without the Buckeyes making waves across the board. In addition to Howard, Sawyer, and Egbuka, Ohio State saw multiple players selected across the draft, many expected to compete for significant roles early.
- JT Tuimoloau was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round, reuniting him with former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
- TreVeyon Henderson, despite injury concerns, was scooped up by the Los Angeles Rams and is expected to be in the RB2 mix behind Kyren Williams.
- Denzel Burke landed with the Indianapolis Colts, giving their secondary a major boost in size and physicality.
In total, 10 Buckeyes were drafted in 2025, continuing the program’s tradition of sending elite talent to the NFL and making Ryan Day’s Buckeye program one of the most consistent pipelines to the pros in college football.
What It All Means Moving Forward
For Ohio State, these developments are as much a recruiting tool as they are a source of pride. Every time a Buckeye shines in the NFL, it adds fuel to the program’s ability to attract top-tier talent. And now, with players like Howard and Sawyer teaming up in the NFL, those connections only grow stronger.
For fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and now the Arizona Phoenix, it’s a time of transition. New players, new branding, and new opportunities are creating a sense of excitement—even if accompanied by some confusion and growing pains.
Ultimately, football is a game of change, adaptation, and evolution. The best franchises know when to evolve, and the best players know how to seize the moment. Whether it’s two Buckeyes reuniting in the Steel City, a dynamic receiver bringing fresh energy to Tampa Bay, or an entire franchise reshaping its identity, this week has proven that nothing in football stays the same for long.
Final Word: Skull Session’s Take
Ohio State fans should be proud—not just of the talent their program produces, but of the way those athletes represent the school on the next level. Will Howard and Jack Sawyer’s bond continues in the NFL. Emeka Egbuka will be catching passes on Sundays in the Sunshine State. And even as the Arizona Cardinals go full phoenix, the Buckeye brand remains eternal.