Lathan Ransom became the latest member of Ohio State’s rookie class to have a big game, Joey Bosa became the NFL’s outright leader in forced fumbles with a game-changing strip sack, Terry McLaurin and C.J. Stroud had strong showings in their returns from injuries and DaVon Hamilton showed off a new skill set in Week 13 of the NFL season.
Those former Buckeyes were the biggest standouts among Ohio State’s contingent of NFL players in Week 13, and we’ve recapped all of their performances and more in this week’s Across The Shield, Eleven Warriors’ weekly look at how former Ohio State players are performing throughout the NFL.
Ransom shines in first start
Lathan Ransom made the most of his first career start on Sunday.
Ransom got the call to start for the first time because the Carolina Panthers’ regular starter at strong safety, Tre’von Moehrig, was suspended by the NFL for a week after punching San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings in the groin. He took advantage of the opportunity by recording 11 tackles, including his first career sack, to help lead the Panthers to a 31-28 upset win over the Los Angeles Rams.
1st career start, 1st career sack
: FOX pic.twitter.com/6c9V33iw9i
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) November 30, 2025
Ransom had the most tackles of any NFL rookie in Week 13, continuing what’s been a standout season for Ohio State’s rookie class. With his excellent performance against the Rams, Ransom becomes the fifth rookie this year to earn our Pro Buck of the Week award as Ohio State’s top NFL performer of the week, joining two-time winners Emeka Egbuka and TreVeyon Henderson, as well as Quinshon Judkins and Denzel Burke.
Pro Bucks of the Week
Week
Player
Stats
1
Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka
4 catches, 67 yards, 2 TD; 1 rush, 9 yards
2
Bills DE Joey Bosa
2 tackles, 1 sack, 2 FF, 7 QB pressures
3
Steelers DT Cameron Heyward
6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 FF, 1 PD, 4 QB pressures
4
Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka
4 catches, 101 yards, 1 TD; 1 rush, 0 yards
5
Texans QB C.J. Stroud
23/27, 244 yards, 4 TD; 1 rush, 30 yards
6
Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
8 catches, 162 yards, 1 TD
7
Browns RB Quinshon Judkins
25 carries, 84 yards, 3 TD
8
Texans QB C.J. Stroud
30/39, 318 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; 7 carries, 30 yards
9
Cardinals CB Denzel Burke
7 tackles, 1 INT, 2 PD
10
Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson
14 carries, 147 yards, 2 TD; 1 catch, 3 yards
11
Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson
19 carries, 62 yards, 2 TD; 5 catches, 31 yards, 1 TD
12
Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
8 catches, 167 yards, 2 TD; 1 carry, 4 yards
13
Panthers S Lathan Ransom
11 tackles, 1 sack
Unfortunately for Ransom, he suffered a thumb injury in the game, Panthers coach Dave Canales said Monday. Canales said the Panthers are still evaluating treatment options for his injury and the timeline for his return. Even if Ransom is ready to play in Week 15 after the Panthers’ Week 14 bye, Moehrig will likely retake his place in the starting lineup.
That said, Ransom’s performance in his first start made a strong case that he should have a big role in the Panthers’ defense going forward – and that they got a steal by landing him in the fourth round of the NFL draft.
Bosa’s fifth forced fumble sets up scoop-and-score
Joey Bosa became the NFL’s outright leader in forced fumbles with a game-changing strip sack in the Buffalo Bills’ win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
With the Steelers leading 7-3 to start the second half, Bosa rushed around the outside of Steelers right guard Mason McCormick to hit Aaron Rodgers from behind and knock the ball out of his hands. His Bills teammate Christian Benford scooped up the loose ball and returned it for a go-ahead touchdown, and the Bills never looked back from there, going on to win the game 26-7.
THAT’S HOW YOU START THE SECOND HALF
Christian Benford x #ProBowlVote
Joey Bosa x #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/Gpy7sIVEvw
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) November 30, 2025
The forced fumble was Bosa’s fifth of the season, breaking a tie with Aidan Hutchinson, Nate Landman and Josh Sweat for the most in the NFL this year.
Like Ransom, Bosa unfortunately suffered an injury of his own on Sunday, leaving the game late in the fourth quarter with a hamstring issue. It’s uncertain if and how long Bosa – who played in all of the Bills’ first 12 games after missing time with injuries in all of the last three seasons – will be sidelined by the injury.
“We’ll see where that goes,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said Monday.
DaVon Hamilton, long snapper
Former Ohio State defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton showed off a new skill set in Week 13.
When Jacksonville Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik was knocked out of the game with a back injury, the Jaguars turned to Hamilton to take over long-snapping duties for the rest of the first half. Hamilton got the ball back to punter/holder Logan Cooke for an extra point, three punts and a field goal – before Matiscik returned to the game for the second half – to help the Jaguars earn a 25-3 win over the Tennessee Titans.
the film cut up youve all been waiting for
every rep of DaVon Hamilton at long snapper: pic.twitter.com/Ib96qjpko6
— Gus Logue (@gus_logue) December 1, 2025
Hamilton hadn’t long-snapped in a game since his days at Pickerington Central High School, but said after the game that it was something he had long wanted another opportunity to do, so he was prepared when his number was called.
“Definitely a dream that came true,” Hamilton said after the game, per the Jaguars’ official website. “It was very cool. It’s something I’ve been working on for about six years in the league, so it has been interesting. Haven’t got my opportunity until today and it was very exciting. Definitely not something I want to do on a day-to-day basis, obviously, but it was fun.”
DaVon Hamilton says he has been fighting for his chance to long snap for six years! (Plus a cameo from Cam Little ) @BrentASJax pic.twitter.com/4V7PsOAsoN
— BrentDanStuartMarcelAlivia (@ActionSportsJax) November 30, 2025
While Hamilton’s snaps weren’t perfect, Jaguars coach Liam Coen and the team’s full-time specialists were impressed by how well he got the job done playing a completely different role than he had ever played before in the NFL.
“That’s so hard,” Cooke said. “You look at a guy who has gloves on and taped wrists (during games). It’s a hard job regardless, so then you put all that in there. For him just to get the ball in there in the vicinity of where you want it is all you can ask for.”
Hamilton made a tackle on one of his punts and also played 15 snaps in the game at defensive tackle.
McLaurin has best game of season in return
After playing in just one of the Washington Commanders’ previous eight games due to a quad injury, Terry McLaurin returned to action on Sunday Night Football and had his best game of the season against the Denver Broncos.
McLaurin caught seven passes for 96 yards – both season-highs – including a touchdown with the game on the line on 4th-and-goal in overtime. Lined up against reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II, McLaurin beat Surtain on a slant route.
TERRY. THE COMMANDERS SCORE IN OT.
DENvsWAS on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/gIFLt2nGCx
— NFL (@NFL) December 1, 2025
McLaurin became the first player to score a touchdown against Surtain since Week 13 of the 2024 NFL season, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
Terry McLaurin caught 3 of 8 targets for 30 yards when covered by Pat Surtain II, but his final reception was an overtime touchdown.
Surtain had not allowed a touchdown on his last 507 coverage snaps dating back to Week 13 of 2024.
Powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/gPZRsHOhfD
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) December 1, 2025
The touchdown gave the Commanders a chance to win the game in overtime, but their game-winning 2-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful when Broncos edge rusher Nick Bonitto knocked down a pass by Marcus Mariota. Nevertheless, the night showed a clear return to form for McLaurin, who had just 13 catches for 203 yards and one touchdown in his first four games of the season.
Stroud leads Texans to win in return
C.J. Stroud also made his return from injury in Week 13 and led the Houston Texans to a 20-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
After missing the Texans’ previous three games with a concussion, Stroud completed 22 of 35 passing attempts for 276 yards, his second-highest total of the season. He didn’t throw any touchdown passes and threw one interception, but led four scoring drives for the Texans and had seven pass completions that went for 15 yards or more.
C.J. Stroud in his return from concussion protocol:
22-35
276 Yards
7.9 YPA
0.24 EPA/Play (RBSDM)
9.8 Total EPA (RBSDM)
14.3% P2S (PFF)
+3.6 CPOE
QB1 is BACK. pic.twitter.com/WqIzHVcjmY
— Jacob (@TexansJacob) November 30, 2025
JSN has quietest game of season
After breaking an NFL record with 11 straight games with more than 75 receiving yards to start the season, Jaxon Smith-Njigba finally had a quiet game in Week 13.
One week after Smith-Njigba had eight catches for a season-high 167 yards and two touchdowns against the Tennessee Titans, the Minnesota Vikings limited JSN to just two catches for 23 yards on Sunday.
Slowing down Smith-Njigba was about the only thing the Vikings did well on Sunday, as the Seattle Seahawks shut them out 26-0 to improve to 9-3 on the season.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba hadnt finished any of the Seahawks first 11 games with fewer than 79 receiving yards. The Vikings held the NFLs leading receiver to 23 yards on two catches (four targets).
Here was JSN on how they did it: pic.twitter.com/fx31LjlQt8
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) December 1, 2025
He still leads the NFL with 1,336 receiving yards, 196 more yards than any other receiver in the NFL this season. The 23-yard game against the Vikings did knock Smith-Njigba off the pace needed to break Calvin Johnson’s NFL single-season receiving yards record, though it’s still not out of reach; to break the record, Smith-Njigba will need 628 receiving yards in the Seahawks’ final five games.
Cade Stover, tush push specialist
Like Hamilton, Cade Stover also found himself taking on a new role in Week 13.
The former Ohio State tight end had the first four rushing attempts of his NFL career as the Texans had him take a direct snap at quarterback to run the “tush push” for four plays against the Colts. He converted 3rd-and-1 on each of his first two attempts, but was stuffed for no gain on each of his final two attempts, resulting in a net total of three yards.
Stover also caught two passes for 16 yards from Stroud in the Texans’ win.
Quick Hits
Chris Olave scored his fifth touchdown of the season – tying his career-high for a season – on a 17-yard catch in the New Orleans Saints’ loss to the Miami Dolphins.
TD OLAVE
What a route by 12
: FOX pic.twitter.com/BabNUyv5lu
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 30, 2025
Chase Young recorded his fifth sack in just seven games this season as one of two tackles for loss in the Saints’ loss to the Dolphins.
Chase Young with the huge sack, his 5th of the season
: FOX: | @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/l7Jngli4Fq
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 30, 2025
Quinshon Judkins had 23 carries for 91 yards, three catches for 18 yards and ran for a 2-point conversion after the Cleveland Browns’ only touchdown in their 26-8 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Jonathon Cooper recorded a season-high six tackles, including one tackle for loss – and drew a holding penalty against Commanders right tackle Josh Conerly Jr. that wiped out what would have been a 30-yard touchdown pass to McLaurin – in the Broncos’ win over the Commanders.
Cameron Heyward and Malik Harrison each recorded a season-high eight tackles, with Heyward also recording two tackles for loss, in the Steelers’ loss to the Bills.
Emeka Egbuka and Marvin Harrison Jr., both members of Ohio State’s 2021 recruiting class who became star receivers for the Buckeyes and are now the top wide receivers for their respective NFL teams, exchanged jerseys after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 20-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Egubka had four catches for 42 yards for the Buccaneers while Harrison had six catches for 69 yards for the Cardinals.
Ohio State Rising NFL stars pic.twitter.com/cOPKy0QZvP
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) November 30, 2025
TreVeyon Henderson led the New England Patriots with 67 rushing yards, highlighted by a 26-yard gain, in their Monday Night Football win over the New York Giants.
.@TreVeyonH4 was moving for the first
ESPN | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/uadiTyjQ7e
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 2, 2025
Thayer Munford made his season debut as he played six snaps as a sixth offensive lineman for the Patriots in their win over the Giants.
Josh Simmons dislocated and fractured his wrist in the Kansas City Chiefs’ Thanksgiving loss to the Dallas Cowboys, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Monday that Simmons “is getting a second evaluation on his wrist, and we’ll see what goes from there.”
The Rams signed Nick Vannett off the Vikings’ practice squad.
The Buffalo Bills placed Curtis Samuel on injured reserve with elbow and knee injuries.
Week 13 Stats
Week 13 and season stats for every Buckeye around the NFL can be found in the table below compiled by Eleven Warriors researcher Matt Gutridge. The table only includes players who have been on an active roster for at least one game this season and who finished their college careers at Ohio State.
Buckeyes Around the NFL
PLAYER
POSITION
TEAM
WEEK 13 STATS
SEASON STATS
ELI APPLE
CB
49ERS
Practice squad
DAMON ARNETTE
CB
TEXANS
Practice squad
3 tackles
JEROME BAKER
LB
BROWNS
2 tackles
24 tackles, 1.5 sacks (11.5 yards), 2 TFL, 1 QB hit, 1 FF
JOEY BOSA
DE
BILLS
2 tackles, 1 sack (9 yards), 1 FF
26 tackles, 5 sacks (40 yards), 8 TFL, 15 QB hits, 5 FF
NICK BOSA
DE
49ERS
Injured reserve (knee)
17 tackles, 2 sacks (9 yards), 4 TFL, 3 QB hits, 2 FF, 1 FR
NOAH BROWN
WR
COMMANDERS
Injured reserve (groin)
3 catches, 36 yards
BARON BROWNING
LB
CARDINALS
4 tackles
20 tackles, 2 sacks (13 yards), 3 TFL, 5 QB hits, 1 INT, 1 PD, 1 FR
DENZEL BURKE
CB
CARDINALS
2 tackles
29 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 INT, 7 PD
PARRIS CAMPBELL
WR
COWBOYS
Practice squad
1 tackle
JONATHON COOPER
LB
BRONCOS
6 tackles, 1 TFL
39 tackles, 7.5 sacks (53.5 yards), 8 TFL, 12 QB hits, 4 PD
TAYLOR DECKER
OT
LIONS
Started at LT
10 starts at LT
J.K. DOBBINS
RB
BRONCOS
Injured reserve (foot)
153 carries, 772 yards, 4 TD; 11 catches, 37 yards
EMEKA EGBUKA
WR
BUCCANEERS
4 catches, 42 yards
52 catches, 791 yards, 6 TD; 2 carries, 9 yards
TOMMY EICHENBERG
LB
RAIDERS
1 tackle
17 tackles
LUKE FARRELL
TE
49ERS
Played at TE
11 catches, 85 yards, 2 TD; 2 tackles
JUSTIN FIELDS
QB
JETS
Did not play
128/204, 1,259 yards, 7 TD, 1 INT; 71 carries, 383 yards, 4 TD
JOSH FRYAR
OL
CARDINALS
Played at OL
7 games played; 1 start at OL
JORDAN FULLER
S
FALCONS
Played on special teams
1 tackle
MIKE HALL JR.
DT
BROWNS
1 tackle
6 tackles, 1.5 sack (13 yards), 2 TFL, 4 QB hits
DAVON HAMILTON
DT
JAGUARS
1 tackle
26 tackles, 1 sack (7 yards), 2 TFL, 3 QB hits
TY HAMILTON
DT
RAMS
2 tackles
8 tackles, 1 QB hit
JORDAN HANCOCK
S
BILLS
2 tackles
11 tackles
MALIK HARRISON
LB
STEELERS
8 tackles
24 tackles, 1 TFL
ZACH HARRISON
DL
FALCONS
Injured reserve (knee)
22 tackles, 4.5 sacks (16.5 yards), 5 TFL, 5 QB hits, 2 FF, 1 PD
MARVIN HARRISON JR.
WR
CARDINALS
6 catches, 69 yards
40 catches, 594 yards, 4 TD
TREVEYON HENDERSON
RB
PATRIOTS
11 carries, 67 yards; 3 catches, 19 yards
129 carries, 625 yards, 5 TD; 32 catches, 199 yards, 1 TD; 9 KR, 209 yards
CAMERON HEYWARD
DT
STEELERS
8 tackles, 2 TFL
52 tackles, 1.5 sacks (4 yards), 5 TFL, 5 QB hits, 6 PD, 1 FF
RONNIE HICKMAN
S
BROWNS
8 tackles, 1 PD
79 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 INT, 4 PD
JALYN HOLMES
DE
COMMANDERS
Inactive
15 tackles, 1 QB hit
MALIK HOOKER
S
COWBOYS
1 tackle
29 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PD
WILL HOWARD
QB
STEELERS
Inactive
DONOVAN JACKSON
OL
VIKINGS
Inactive
9 starts at LG
JONAH JACKSON
OG
BEARS
Started at RG
12 starts at RG
PARIS JOHNSON JR.
OL
CARDINALS
Started at LT
11 starts at LT
CAMERON JOHNSTON
P
BILLS
Released
7 punts, 44.0 average, 2 inside 20
DAWAND JONES
OT
BROWNS
Injured reserve (knee)
2 starts at LT, 1 start at RT
DRE’MONT JONES
DE
RAVENS
Played at DE
31 tackles, 6 sacks (39 yards), 6 TFL, 15 QB hits, 1 PD, 1 FR
MICHAEL JORDAN
LG
BUCCANEERS
Did not play
5 starts at LG, 6 games played
QUINSHON JUDKINS
RB
BROWNS
23 carries, 91 yards; 3 catches, 18 yards; 2-point conversion run
196 carries, 758 yards, 7 TD; 17 catches, 88 yards
MARSHON LATTIMORE
CB
COMMANDERS
Injured reserve (knee)
27 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 7 PD, 1 FR
TYQUAN LEWIS
DT
COLTS
Played at DE
8 tackles, 3 sacks (18 yards), 4 TFL, 3 QB hits, 1 PD
LIAM McCULLOUGH
LS
FALCONS
1 tackle
12 games played at LS; 1 tackle
TERRY McLAURIN
WR
COMMANDERS
7 catches, 96 yards, 1 TD
20 catches, 299 yards, 2TD
JAKE McQUAIDE
LS
RAMS
Played at LS
4 games played at LS
THAYER MUNFORD
OT
PATRIOTS
Played at LT
1 game played
JOSH MYERS
C
JETS
Started at C
12 starts at C
JEFF OKUDAH
CB
VIKINGS
Injured reserve (concussion)
14 tackles, 1 FR
CHRIS OLAVE
WR
SAINTS
4 catches, 47 yards, 1 TD
73 catches, 781 yards, 5 TD; 1 carry, -3 yards; 0/1 passing, 1 INT
LATHAN RANSOM
S
PANTHERS
11 tackles, 1 sack (8 yards)
45 tackles, 1 sack (8 yards), 2 TFL, 1 QB hit, 1 FF
JEREMY RUCKERT
TE
JETS
2 catches, 12 yards
16 catches, 131 yards, 1 TD
CURTIS SAMUEL
WR
BILLS
Injured reserve (elbow, knee)
7 catches, 81 yards, 1 TD; 9 KR, 223 yards; 1 tackle
JACK SAWYER
LB
STEELERS
1 tackle
22 tackles, 1 sack (9 yards), 2 TFL, 4 QB hits, 1 INT, 3 PD
TREY SERMON
RB
STEELERS
Practice squad
1 tackle
KENDALL SHEFFIELD
CB
DOLPHINS
Practice squad
1 tackle
JOSH SIMMONS
OT
CHIEFS
Started at LT
8 starts at LT
CODY SIMON
LB
CARDINALS
9 tackles
43 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PD, 1 FF
JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA
WR
SEAHAWKS
2 catches, 23 yards
82 catches, 1,336 yards, 7 TD; 6 carries, 37 yards
CADE STOVER
TE
TEXANS
2 catches, 16 yards; 4 carries, 3 yards
6 catches, 38 yards; 4 carries, 3 yards
C.J. STROUD
QB
TEXANS
22/35, 276 yards, 1 INT; 1 carry, 0 yards
183/277, 1,978 yards, 11 TD, 6 INT; 30 carries, 189 yards
TOMMY TOGIAI
DT
TEXANS
4 tackles
31 tackles, 0.5 sack (4.5 yards), 4 TFL, 3 QB hits, 3 PD
JT TUIMOLOAU
DE
COLTS
2 QB hits
7 tackles, 6 QB hits
NICK VANNETT
TE
RAMS
Played on special teams
1 start, 6 games played
DENZEL WARD
CB
BROWNS
1 tackle
34 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 INT, 8 PD
PETE WERNER
LB
SAINTS
4 tackles
66 tackles, 2 sacks (1 yard), 4 TFL, 3 QB hits, 4 PD, 2 FR
TYLEIK WILLIAMS
DL
LIONS
1 tackle, 1 QB hit
13 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 QB hits, 3 PD
GARRETT WILSON
WR
JETS
Injured reserve (knee)
36 catches, 395 yards, 4 TD
LUKE WYPLER
C
BROWNS
Played at C
1 start at T, 12 games played
CHASE YOUNG
DE
SAINTS
2 tackles, 1 sack (4 yards), 2 TFL
19 tackles, 5 sacks (35.5 yards), 5 TFL, 8 QB hits, 3 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR