C.J. Stroud
C.J. Stroud
DaVon Hamilton had a heroic long-snapping effort, C.J. Stroud had a great day on and off the field, Ohio State’s rookie linebackers continued to shine and two former Buckeye receivers topped 100 yards in Week 5 of the 2026 NFL season.
We highlight all of their performances and more in Across The Shield, Eleven Warriors’ weekly recap of the best and most notable performances from former Ohio State players around the NFL.
Hamilton makes game-winning long snap
Former Ohio State defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton was part of the top play of NFL Week 5 – in an unexpected role.
For the second time in two years, Hamilton was called into emergency long-snapping duties for the Jacksonville Jaguars after their regular long snapper, Ross Matiscik, went down with a shoulder injury in the first quarter.
Suddenly, a play that rarely draws attention became the story of the game. Many of Hamilton’s snaps were higher than what you’d see from someone who’s actually a long snapper by trade, and one of those high snaps resulted in a missed extra point with 3:20 to play.
Instead of taking a 17-14 lead, the Jaguars only went up by two, allowing the Philadelphia Eagles to take a one-point lead on a Jake Elliott field goal with eight seconds to play. But after a 53-yard kickoff return by Ameer Abdullah, Hamilton got his chance at redemption.
With the game on the line, Hamilton’s snap was still a little high but accurate enough for Jaguars punter Logan Cooke to field it cleanly, and Cam Little drilled a 57-yard field goal as time expired to win the game in London.
UNBELIEVABLE. JAGS WIN. WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!?! https://t.co/O7x8JTgPeK
— NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2026
Because NFL teams only carry one long snapper, Hamilton has been the Jaguars’ emergency long snapper for the past couple of seasons, occasionally practicing snaps during the week to ensure he’s ready if needed. Given that he spends most of his time playing defensive tackle, however, Hamilton made a huge impression on his coaches, teammates and NFL analysts like Jason Kelce and Pat McAfee with how well he performed in an unusual capacity.
@JasonKelce is so impressed by @Jaguars emergency long snapper DaVon Hamilton @PHIvsJAX on NFL Network Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/IHYoIZWPIQ
— NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2026
THAT’S DAVON HIMILTON #MondayNightCountdown https://t.co/zJJ6lDWtnu
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 12, 2026
“Unbelievable job by DaVon Freaking Hamilton,” Jaguars center Rob Hainsey said after the game, according to Ryan O’Halloran of The Florida Times-Union.
Hamilton, who also had a tackle and a quarterback hit at his regular position in the Jaguars’ 19-17 win, will only be a long-snapper for one week if all goes according to plan, as the Jaguars signed Jacob Bobenmoyer to replace the injured Matiscik as their long snapper for next week. But his clutch performance in that role when his team needed him most won’t soon be forgotten, and it earned him our Pro Buck of the Week award as Ohio State’s top NFL performer of Week 5.
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Week Player Stats
1 Saints WR Chris Olave 10 catches, 182 yards
2 Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba 9 catches, 155 yards, 3 TD
3 Commanders LB Sonny Styles 5 tackles, 1 INT, 1 FF, 1 PBU
4 Giants LB Arvell Reese 9 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 3 PBU
5 Jaguars DT/LS DaVon Hamilton LS on game-winning 57-yard FG; 1 tackle, 1 QB hit
A great Sunday for Stroud
After an 0-4 start to the season, C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans finally got their first win of the year in Week 5, earning a 26-3 win over the also-winless Tennessee Titans. The former Ohio State quarterback was a massive reason why, as he completed 26 of 34 passing attempts for 261 yards, highlighted by a 9-yard touchdown pass to Jaylin Noel on the run.
Another one thank you! : @nfloncbs | @paramountplus https://t.co/jBBKwl1JxP
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 11, 2026
Stroud also ran for a 2-yard touchdown with former Ohio State tight end Cade Stover leading the way.
C.J. Stroud takes it himself to extend the Texans lead https://t.co/fgp9vThJPK
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) October 11, 2026
He’ll have another one of his former Ohio State teammates taking the field with him next week, as Texans coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed shortly after Sunday’s game that his team was acquiring Marvin Harrison Jr. from the Arizona Cardinals.
Stroud played a part in making that happen, giving the Texans’ front office positive feedback when they asked him about the two-time unanimous All-American, and he’s excited about what Harrison will be able to do as one of his receivers despite his disappointing tenure in Arizona.
“If he’s himself, he’s gonna be one of the best receivers. He got drafted where he got drafted for a reason, and I think he’ll be able to show that,” Stroud said Sunday.
C.J. Stroud on Marvin Harrison Jr.: “Somebody who runs great routes, can catch really any ball. I’m just super excited to get with him. I loved him in college. Probably the hardest worker I’ve ever been around in my life.” https://t.co/YB7mev5VTt
— Chase Brown (@chaseabrown__) October 11, 2026
Even without Harrison, Stroud has been one of the most prolific passers in the NFL this season, ranking third in the league through five weeks with 1,402 passing yards. Now, Stroud and Harrison look to recreate the magic that made them college football’s best passing tandem in 2022.
Styles, Reese shine in first head-to-head battle
There wasn’t much for either team to be happy about after the Washington Commanders and New York Giants played to a 27-27 tie in overtime on Sunday, but both teams had a common bright spot: The play of their rookie linebackers from Ohio State.
In what will be the first of many head-to-head matchups between the former Ohio State teammates turned NFC East rivals, Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese both had huge games to continue their spectacular starts to their NFL rookie seasons.
Styles tied for the NFL lead with 13 total tackles in Week 5. He recorded a pass breakup and a tackle for loss on back-to-back red-zone plays from the Commanders’ 1-yard line, and was in on forcing a Cam Skattebo fumble that ended the Giants’ final possession with two minutes to play.
COMMANDERS BALL @NYGvsWAS on FOX/FOX One Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/7PNuoNGQRw
— NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2026
Reese, who’s tied for the league lead for the season with 30 solo tackles, tied for the Giants’ team lead with nine tackles against the Commanders, including his first career sack, which came in the final minute of regulation and played a key role in sending the game to overtime.
ARVELL REESE SACK!! https://t.co/FcIvwMRHRh
— Talkin’ Giants (@TalkinGiants) October 11, 2026
Styles and Reese exchanged jerseys after the game.
It's not always easy getting off those jerseys postgame @arvxll @sonnystyles_ @insidetheNFL Week 5 Mic'd Up on X https://t.co/cAuKnq8c0i
— NFL (@NFL) October 12, 2026
100-yard games for Wilson and JSN
At least one wide receiver from Ohio State has topped 100 yards in every week of the NFL season so far. Two alumni of Wide Receiver U hit triple digits in Week 5.
Garrett Wilson had his second triple-digit game of the season as he caught seven passes for 104 yards in the New York Jets’ 17-12 win over the Cleveland Browns. Three of those catches for 70 yards came on the Jets’ opening drive, which ended with Wilson putting his former Ohio State teammate Ronnie Hickman through the spin cycle on his way to a 32-yard touchdown.
Buckeye on Buckeye crime: Garrett Wilson just put Ronnie Hickman in a blender https://t.co/TDojN83Lca
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 11, 2026
Jaxon Smith-Njigba had his fourth 100-yard game of the season as he caught five passes for 102 yards against the San Francisco 49ers, including his league-leading seventh touchdown of the season, which featured some nifty footwork as JSN maneuvered his way around three 49ers defenders to turn a checkdown into a 16-yard touchdown.
JSN MAKES A MOVE AND SCORES THE TD @SFvsSEA on FOX/FOX One Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/earulTBP8m
— NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2026
Sunday’s game ended with a rare mistake by the superstar wide receiver, as he dropped a deep ball that could have set up a game-tying field goal. Instead, the Seahawks suffered a 32-29 loss after turning the ball over on downs on their next play.
A rare drop from JSN : FOX/FOX One https://t.co/I4ob7AwrHC
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 11, 2026
Nevertheless, Smith-Njigba still leads the NFL in both receiving yards (583) and touchdowns (seven) for the season. Chris Olave, despite catching only four passes for 46 yards in the New Orleans Saints’ Week 5 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, ranks second in the league with 39 receptions and 537 receiving yards. Wilson gives Ohio State three of the NFL’s top receivers so far this season, as he ranks seventh for the year with 31 receptions and 11th in the league with 374 receiving yards.
Quick Hits
Pete Werner recorded 10 tackles, including one on which he combined with Saints teammate Martin Emerson to force a fumble that was recovered by Jonas Sanker and returned for an 87-yard touchdown.
TO. THE. CRIB. #MINvsNO on FOX https://t.co/AmNmtuGEFZ
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 11, 2026
Chase Young recovered his first fumble of the season and returned it 27 yards, though his ball-carrying technique on the return will likely draw some scrutiny during film study.
WE TAKE THOSE. SAINTS BALL FOX https://t.co/lnyqzQ05VJ
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 11, 2026
Baron Browning had two forced fumbles in the Arizona Cardinals’ loss to the Detroit Lions.
After starting the season on injured reserve, Kayden McDonald and Lorenzo Styles Jr. each made their NFL debuts in Week 5. McDonald recorded two tackles for the Texans, while Styles recorded one for the Saints.
All 11 defensive snaps from Texans rookie DT Kayden McDonald (#93) in his impressive NFL debut in Week 5 vs. the Titans. McDonald was heavily utilized on early downs and in short-yardage situations, helping the Texans consistently limit Tennessee’s rushing attack. Tommy Togiai and Kayden McDonald could form a formidable duo of early-down, run-stuffing DTs, allowing Houston to rotate and keep its interior pass rushers, Logan Hall and Sheldon Rankins, fresh for passing situations.
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) October 12, 2026
Like Reese and Sonny Styles, McDonald and Carnell Tate exchanged jerseys after their first game against each other as division rivals after playing together at Ohio State for the last three years.
Kayden McDonald got his former Ohio State teammate in Carnell Tate’s jersey after playing the Titans: https://t.co/mMFpGSTGiq
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) October 11, 2026
Emeka Egbuka scored the first rushing touchdown of his NFL career, turning a jet sweep into a 14-yard score in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 24-16 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Egbuka takes the handoff and the Bucs take the lead! @TBvsDAL on Prime Video Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/6LUjN0rWmW
— NFL (@NFL) October 9, 2026
J.K. Dobbins ran for a season-high 68 yards on 18 attempts, including his first touchdown of the year, in the Denver Broncos’ 23-17 win over Jim Harbaugh’s Los Angeles Chargers, who fell to 0-5 on the season.
First of the year for @Jkdobbins22! : @CBSSports / @ParamountPlus https://t.co/YneqRHCTx6
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 11, 2026
Terry McLaurin made a diving catch for his first career 2-point conversion, also making four other catches on the day for 62 total yards.
why not add 2 it? #NYGvsWAS FOX https://t.co/i4FkJnLbSo
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) October 11, 2026
Week 5 Stats
Stats for every Buckeye who has played in an NFL game through the first five weeks of the season can be found in the table below compiled by Eleven Warriors researcher Matt Gutridge. The table only includes players who finished their college football careers at Ohio State.
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PLAYER POSITION TEAM WEEK 5 STATS SEASON STATS
NICK BOSA DE 49ERS Inactive 6 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 QB hit
BARON BROWNING LB CARDINALS 4 tackles, 1 sack (2 yards), 2 FF 9 tackles, 1 sack (2 yards), 2 TFL, 2 QB hits, 2 FF
DENZEL BURKE CB CARDINALS 6 tackles 15 tackles, 1 INT, 3 PD
JONATHON COOPER LB BRONCOS Unavailable Commissioner’s exempt list
CADEN CURRY DE COLTS 1 tackle 9 tackles
J.K. DOBBINS RB BRONCOS 18 carries, 68 yards, 1 TD; 2 catches, 6 yards 64 carries, 229 yards, 1 TD; 5 catches, 22 yards
CJ DONALDSON RB SAINTS 4 carries, 13 yards; 1 catch, 7 yards; 1 tackle 11 carries, 42 yards; 3 catches, 12 yards; 1 tackle
CALEB DOWNS S COWBOYS 4 tackles 31 tackles, 1 sack (1 yard), 1 PD, 1 FF
EMEKA EGBUKA WR BUCCANEERS 6 catches, 38 yards; 1 carry, 14 yards, 1 TD 21 catches, 192 yards, 1 TD; 1 carry, 14 yards, 1 TD
TOMMY EICHENBERG LB RAIDERS 3 tackles 9 tackles
LUKE FARRELL TE 49ERS Played at TE 2 catches, 19 yards; 3 tackles, 1 FF
JUSTIN FIELDS QB CHIEFS Bye Played 1 game at RB
JOSH FRYAR OL CARDINALS Played at OL 2 games played
MIKE HALL JR. DT BROWNS Inactive 4 tackles, 1 sack (10 yards), 1 TFL, 1 QB hit
DAVON HAMILTON DT JAGUARS 1 tackle, 1 QB hit; played at LS 13 tackles, 0.5 sack (4 yards), 4 QB hits, 1 FF, 1 FR
TY HAMILTON DT RAMS Played 4 tackles
JORDAN HANCOCK S BILLS Injured reserve (hamstring) 6 tackles
MALIK HARRISON LB GIANTS Practice squad 2 tackles, 1 FR
ZACH HARRISON DE FALCONS 5 tackles, 0.5 sack (1 yard), 1 QB hit 9 tackles, 0.5 sack (1 yard), 2 TFL, 2 QB hit, 1 blocked FG
MARVIN HARRISON JR. WR CARDINALS TEXANS Traded to the Texans 5 catches, 85 yards, 1 TD
TREVEYON HENDERSON RB PATRIOTS 4 carries, 22 yards; 1 catch, 16 yards 42 carries, 163 yards, 1 TD; 2 catches, 22 yards
CAMERON HEYWARD DT STEELERS 3 tackles, 1 sack (1 yard) 17 tackles, 1 sack (1 yard), 1 TFL, 5 QB hits, 4 PD, 1 FF
RONNIE HICKMAN S BROWNS 2 tackles, 1 FR 26 tackles, 1 sack (0 yards), 1 QB hit, 1 INT, 2 PD, 1 FR
MALIK HOOKER S COWBOYS 5 tackles 13 tackles, 2 PD
WILL HOWARD QB STEELERS Inactive Has not played
DAVISON IGBINOSUN CB BILLS 7 tackles, 1 PD 25 tackles, 4 PD
DONOVAN JACKSON OL VIKINGS Injured reserve (knee) 4 games started
JONAH JACKSON OG BEARS Started at RG 5 games started
PARIS JOHNSON JR. OL CARDINALS Injured reserve (biceps) 4 games started
CAMERON JOHNSTON P STEELERS 3 punts, 52.0 average, 1 inside 20 21 punts, 49.8 average, 9 inside 20
DAWAND JONES OT BROWNS Played at OT 5 games played
DRE'MONT JONES DE PATRIOTS 4 tackles, 1 TFL 7 tackles, 1 sack (5 yards), 2 TFL, 4 QB hits
QUINSHON JUDKINS RB BROWNS 14 carries, 44 yards; 3 catches, 6 yards 73 carries, 221 yards, 1 TD; 18 catches, 102 yards
WILL KACMAREK TE DOLPHINS 1 catch, 5 yards 3 catches, 24 yards
MAX KLARE TE RAMS Inactive 3 games played
LIAM McCULLOUGH LS FALCONS Played at LS 4 games played
KAYDEN McDONALD DT TEXANS 2 tackles 2 tackles
TERRY McLAURIN WR COMMANDERS 4 catches, 62 yards 14 catches, 203 yards, 1 TD
JOSH MYERS C JETS Started at C 5 starts at C
CHRIS OLAVE WR SAINTS 4 catches, 46 yards; 1 tackle 39 catches, 537 yards, 1 TD; 1 tackle
ETHAN ONIANWA OT FALCONS Inactive Has not played
LATHAN RANSOM S PANTHERS Bye 18 tackles, 2 PD
ARVELL REESE LB GIANTS 9 tackles, 1 sack (3 yards) 43 tackles, 1 sack (3 yards), 3 TFL, 1 QB hit, 1 INT, 4 PD
JEREMY RUCKERT TE JETS Played at TE 8 catches, 48 yards, 1 TD
JACK SAWYER LB STEELERS 4 tackles 12 tackles, 1 QB hit, 1 PD
JOSH SIMMONS OT CHIEFS Bye Has not played
CODY SIMON LB CARDINALS 3 tackles 6 tackles
JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA WR SEAHAWKS 5 catches, 102 yards. 1 TD; 1 carry, 16 yards 37 catches, 583 yards, 7 TD; 1 carry, 16 yards; 1/1 passing, 14 yards
CADE STOVER TE TEXANS Played at TE 2 catches, 18 yards; 7 tackles
C.J. STROUD QB TEXANS 26/34, 261 yards, 1 TD; 6 carries, 5 yards, 1 TD 119/185, 1,141 yards, 5 TD; 15 carries, 71 yards, 1 TD
LORENZO STYLES JR. S SAINTS 1 tackle 1 tackle
SONNY STYLES LB COMMANDERS 13 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PD 33 tackles, 1 sack (1 yard), 3 TFL, 1 QB hit, 1 INT, 3 PD, 1 FF
CARNELL TATE WR TITANS 1 catch, 6 yards 23 catches, 274 yards
TOMMY TOGIAI DT TEXANS 8 tackles 27 tackles, 1 PD, 1 FR
J.T. TUIMOLOAU DE COLTS 1 tackle 8 tackles, 1 QB hit, 1 PD
DENZEL WARD CB BROWNS 7 tackles 24 tackles, 1 INT, 1 PD, 2 FF
PETE WERNER LB SAINTS 10 tackles 35 tackles, 1 sack (8 yards), 3 TFL, 2 QB hits, 1 PD
TYLEIK WILLIAMS DL LIONS Started on the DL 14 tackles, 1 QB hit
GARRETT WILSON WR JETS 7 catches, 104 yards, 1 TD 31 catches, 374 yards, 3 TD
LUKE WYPLER C BROWNS Played on special teams 1 start, 5 games played
CHASE YOUNG DE SAINTS 1 tackle, 0.5 sack (4 yards), 1 QB hit, 1 FR 9 tackles, 4 sacks (33 yards), 3 TFL, 6 QB hits, 2 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR
Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh
Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh
Bob Chesney
Bob Chesney