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Ohio State is more than halfway through spring practice, and the Buckeyes have gotten feisty.
“It got ramped up last week,” coach Ryan Day said. “It was very intense last week. This is a group that likes to get after it. They’re edgy. There was a point where we almost got too emotional in a couple of spots. But that’s because these guys are fighting for positions, which is the way you want it as a coach.”
Not only do the Buckeyes have to replace most of the starters from the national championship team, but they can’t ease into the season the way they could last year when they opened against three overmatched non-league opponents. Ohio State's first opponent this year against Texas.
“We’ve got to be ready to go week 1,” Day said. “It’s already in the back of our minds as we have that urgency coming off last year. But that’s all behind us. It’s all about moving forward.”
Ohio State concludes spring practice April 12 with what it is calling a Spring Showcase, but Day said he intends for it to follow the scrimmage format of past years.
More: Blaine Bradford, top-ranked high school safety in 2026, commits to Ohio State football
Here are four takeaways from Day’s press conference:
If there’s a front-runner in the quarterback battle between Julian Sayin, Lincoln Kienholz and freshman Tavien St. Clair, Day isn’t revealing it. Sayin is regarded as the favorite, and Day was complimentary about him. Sayin’s personality is more laid-back than OSU’s 2024 quarterback, Will Howard, so his leadership style will be different.
“He’s finding his way,” Day said. “He has credibility that he’s building in the locker room.”
Day said that’s done in part by showing his character.
“Julian’s a good man,” he said. “He does things the right way. He lives his life right off the field. When he says he’s going to do something, he does it.”
It also comes by building connections in the locker room, which Day sees happening.
“And then it comes down to competency,” he said. “When you stop on the field, you’ve got to be in command. The more you do it and the more consistent you get, the more confidence you have in leading.”
Day said how he feels about the quarterbacks depends on the day he’s asked.
“There’s been really good progress in that room – all three of them,” he said. “I can recognize that there’s been growth in all areas. Then there are other moments where they have two or three plays in a row that we all get frustrated.
“But we’re going to keep coaching them and keep pushing them. I think they have the right attitude.”
All-American junior safety Caleb Downs has been limited in practice because of a nagging injury, Day said.
“We want to make sure he’s good to go, and he will be,” Day said.
He did not divulge any specifics about Downs’ injury.
Downs' limited participation has given extra reps to sophomore Jaylen McClain and junior Malik Hartford, who are battling to replace Lathan Ransom. McClain got 107 snaps last year, according to Pro Football Focus. Hartford got 95.
“I think Jaylen and Malik have made a move at safety, and that’s been good,” Day said.
Last year, Donovan Jackson’s move from left guard to left tackle following the injury to Josh Simmons saved Ohio State’s season. The Buckeyes had no viable alternative, and Jackson rose to the occasion.
That example, and the expected reduction in roster size to 105 players, has prompted OSU to emphasize versatility. Day said that most offensive linemen are now expected to have a primary position and a secondary position. By cross-training, Day said, the Buckeyes should be able to insert their next-best player if an injury occurs instead of potentially having to use a lesser player who specializes at one position.
Buy Ohio State posters, books, gear from CFP title win
“Having the flexibility to do that is important, and I think our guys have embraced it," Day said. “The more flexibility these guys have not only helps us in terms of their value on this team, but also at the next level showing NFL folks they can move around, which is important.”
Jackson is now considered a possible first-round pick because of the versatility he showed in 2024.
There are exceptions. Rice transfer Ethan Onianwa is limited to tackle because of his 6-foot-6, 357-pound frame, Day said. But most of the other linemen will need to learn multiple spots.
All four defensive line starters from 2024 are headed to the NFL, but Day seems mostly happy with that unit so far this spring.
Ends Caden Curry and Kenyatta Jackson have played a lot of snaps as backups, and Day said he’s pleased with how senior C.J. Hicks has looked after his move from linebacker. Idaho State transfer Logan George has also made a good impression so far. Day said freshman Zion Grady looks like he might be able to contribute this year.
Day seems more concerned about the depth at defensive tackle. Eddrick Houston and Kayden McDonald are the likely starters, but Day is waiting for consistency from others.
“There are certain things that have been good,” Day said. “There are certainly things that have flashed. But every time we say the word flash, that means it’s probably not consistent enough. The ability is there, so it’s an area that we’ve got to continue in the second half of spring to see a push out of that group.”
Ohio State football beat writer Bill Rabinowitz can be reached at [email protected] or on bluesky at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Four takeaways from Ohio State coach Ryan Day's press conference
Continue reading...
“It got ramped up last week,” coach Ryan Day said. “It was very intense last week. This is a group that likes to get after it. They’re edgy. There was a point where we almost got too emotional in a couple of spots. But that’s because these guys are fighting for positions, which is the way you want it as a coach.”
Not only do the Buckeyes have to replace most of the starters from the national championship team, but they can’t ease into the season the way they could last year when they opened against three overmatched non-league opponents. Ohio State's first opponent this year against Texas.
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“We’ve got to be ready to go week 1,” Day said. “It’s already in the back of our minds as we have that urgency coming off last year. But that’s all behind us. It’s all about moving forward.”
Ohio State concludes spring practice April 12 with what it is calling a Spring Showcase, but Day said he intends for it to follow the scrimmage format of past years.
More: Blaine Bradford, top-ranked high school safety in 2026, commits to Ohio State football
Here are four takeaways from Day’s press conference:
Ryan Day says QBs finding their way
If there’s a front-runner in the quarterback battle between Julian Sayin, Lincoln Kienholz and freshman Tavien St. Clair, Day isn’t revealing it. Sayin is regarded as the favorite, and Day was complimentary about him. Sayin’s personality is more laid-back than OSU’s 2024 quarterback, Will Howard, so his leadership style will be different.
“He’s finding his way,” Day said. “He has credibility that he’s building in the locker room.”
Day said that’s done in part by showing his character.
“Julian’s a good man,” he said. “He does things the right way. He lives his life right off the field. When he says he’s going to do something, he does it.”
It also comes by building connections in the locker room, which Day sees happening.
“And then it comes down to competency,” he said. “When you stop on the field, you’ve got to be in command. The more you do it and the more consistent you get, the more confidence you have in leading.”
Day said how he feels about the quarterbacks depends on the day he’s asked.
“There’s been really good progress in that room – all three of them,” he said. “I can recognize that there’s been growth in all areas. Then there are other moments where they have two or three plays in a row that we all get frustrated.
“But we’re going to keep coaching them and keep pushing them. I think they have the right attitude.”
Safety Caleb Downs has been limited
All-American junior safety Caleb Downs has been limited in practice because of a nagging injury, Day said.
“We want to make sure he’s good to go, and he will be,” Day said.
He did not divulge any specifics about Downs’ injury.
Downs' limited participation has given extra reps to sophomore Jaylen McClain and junior Malik Hartford, who are battling to replace Lathan Ransom. McClain got 107 snaps last year, according to Pro Football Focus. Hartford got 95.
“I think Jaylen and Malik have made a move at safety, and that’s been good,” Day said.
New philosophy for offensive line
Last year, Donovan Jackson’s move from left guard to left tackle following the injury to Josh Simmons saved Ohio State’s season. The Buckeyes had no viable alternative, and Jackson rose to the occasion.
That example, and the expected reduction in roster size to 105 players, has prompted OSU to emphasize versatility. Day said that most offensive linemen are now expected to have a primary position and a secondary position. By cross-training, Day said, the Buckeyes should be able to insert their next-best player if an injury occurs instead of potentially having to use a lesser player who specializes at one position.
Buy Ohio State posters, books, gear from CFP title win
“Having the flexibility to do that is important, and I think our guys have embraced it," Day said. “The more flexibility these guys have not only helps us in terms of their value on this team, but also at the next level showing NFL folks they can move around, which is important.”
Jackson is now considered a possible first-round pick because of the versatility he showed in 2024.
There are exceptions. Rice transfer Ethan Onianwa is limited to tackle because of his 6-foot-6, 357-pound frame, Day said. But most of the other linemen will need to learn multiple spots.
Ohio State’s defensive line making progress
All four defensive line starters from 2024 are headed to the NFL, but Day seems mostly happy with that unit so far this spring.
Ends Caden Curry and Kenyatta Jackson have played a lot of snaps as backups, and Day said he’s pleased with how senior C.J. Hicks has looked after his move from linebacker. Idaho State transfer Logan George has also made a good impression so far. Day said freshman Zion Grady looks like he might be able to contribute this year.
Day seems more concerned about the depth at defensive tackle. Eddrick Houston and Kayden McDonald are the likely starters, but Day is waiting for consistency from others.
“There are certain things that have been good,” Day said. “There are certainly things that have flashed. But every time we say the word flash, that means it’s probably not consistent enough. The ability is there, so it’s an area that we’ve got to continue in the second half of spring to see a push out of that group.”
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Ohio State football beat writer Bill Rabinowitz can be reached at [email protected] or on bluesky at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Four takeaways from Ohio State coach Ryan Day's press conference
Continue reading...
