This is the first in-season USA Today Co. Ohio High School Boys Basketball Super 25 Poll of the 2025-26 season, featuring voters from across the state. The Ohio Super 25 ranks the teams we believe are the state’s 25 best, regardless of division.

The Illinois surgeon charged with killing his ex-wife and her husband inside their home — with their two kids nearby — will be hauled back to Ohio to face murder charges.

A hulking Michael David McKee made a brief appearance in Illinois court Monday and agreed to be sent back to the Buckeye State, where he allegedly gunned down Monique and Spencer Tepe in the early hours of Dec. 30, the Rockford Register reported.

He was arrested in Illinois on Sunday for the grisly murders — which left the Tepes’ young children orphaned — and was charged with two counts of aggravated murder in Ohio.

McKee, handcuffed and sporting a yellow prison jumpsuit, did not speak during the two-minute hearing, besides stating his full name.

His public defender attorney said he intended to plead not guilty.

“Mr. McKee believes that the most expeditious manner in which he may defend himself against the charges pending in Ohio and to plead not guilty would be to waive his right to an extradition hearing,” public defender Carrie Poirier said.

He is expected to be transported to Ohio this week.

McKee was arrested nearly two weeks after the Tepes were found dead from gunshot wounds in their Columbus home. Neighbors called police after hearing their kids — 4 and 1 — crying inside. Both children were unharmed.

The grisly attack left Ohioans baffled, as there were no signs of forced entry and no indication that anybody would want to harm the happy couple — who were about to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary.

But a person was seen on surveillance footage walking near the home around the time of the murders — between 2 and 5 a.m. — while a car also seen at the scene was allegedly traced to McKee in Rockford, Illinois.

McKee worked as a vascular surgeon in the Rockford area, and was briefly married to Monique for under two years before divorcing in 2017.

But the separation was apparently amicable, according to court documents, and no motivation for the alleged murder has been disclosed by police yet.

Monique married Spencer, a dentist, in 2020 and had their first child soon after.

McKee could face life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — With his NFL Draft declaration, the debate intensifies around Downs’ legacy — was his combination of physical gifts and football IQ enough to surpass Buckeye legends despite playing only two seasons?

With Caleb Downs declaring for the NFL Draft, a fascinating historical debate has erupted among Ohio State faithful: Is he already the greatest safety in program history despite playing just two seasons in Columbus?

The conversation typically centers around three legendary figures: Downs, Jack Tatum, and Mike Doss. Each boasts an impressive resume of accolades, championship hardware, and game-changing performances that transformed the safety position at Ohio State.

“My initial reaction is probably no. But he’s the best. He’s he’s the most talented safety to ever play at Ohio State,” said Andrew Gillis, drawing an important distinction. “Like he’s the best at football, but I think only two years here compared to maybe some of the other guys, I wonder if when you compare the totality of that argument…”

The statistical case for Downs is undeniable. As Stephen Means recounted: “Caleb DS, two-time unanimous all-American, Jim Thorp award winner, lot trophy award, lot trophy winner, national champion, Big 10 defensive player of the year, and he was also a second team all-American as a true freshman. He was also the SEC freshman of the year. and he’s a two-time Big 10 defensive back of the year.”

This remarkable collection of accolades rivals those of his predecessors. Jack Tatum, a cornerstone of the “Super Sophomores” and two-time national champion, was a two-time unanimous All-American and had a trophy named after him. Mike Doss was a national champion, unanimous All-American, and three-time All-Big Ten performer.

What separated Downs from other elite safeties wasn’t just his physical abilities but his extraordinary football intelligence. Gillis explained: “The best thing about it was not just Caleb DS is really good and he’s athletic, but like what makes him special is you’ve got a supercomputer in his helmet on the back end of that defense. And that is not something that you can take lightly.”

This “supercomputer” quality transformed Ohio State’s defense, allowing them to disguise coverages at an elite level and confuse even the most sophisticated offensive minds. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian noted early in the season how Downs’ presence made Ohio State’s defensive disguises particularly challenging to decipher.

Perhaps Downs’ greatest performance came in a losing effort against Miami, where he set a College Football Playoff record with two forced fumbles in a single game. As Means noted: “Caleb DS was at god level against Miami and you don’t get to appreciate it because the offense couldn’t get to in the second half.”

The case against Downs rests primarily on his shorter tenure. While Tatum and Doss enjoyed longer Ohio State careers, allowing them to accumulate more statistical achievements and memorable moments, Downs’ impact was perhaps more concentrated and immediately transformational.

The fact that this debate exists at all speaks to Downs’ extraordinary impact. After transferring from Alabama following Nick Saban’s retirement, Downs immediately established himself as one of the most impactful transfers in program history, comparable to the legendary Joe Burrow.

“Caleb came in day one to Ohio State and led them to N, right?” Stefan Krajisnik observed. “Like even Burrow transferred, but it still took a little time. Like Caleb came in and it was like this is a team that needs to win a national title. Here is a star to put in the middle of it all.”

Whether Downs ultimately ranks first, second, or third in the pantheon of great Ohio State safeties may remain forever debated. What’s undeniable is that in just two seasons, he forced his way into a conversation that usually requires a longer resume. His combination of physical talent, football IQ, and championship pedigree ensures his legacy will endure long after his departure to the NFL.

Here’s the podcast for this week: