Ohio State's Ryan Day Responds to Big Recruiting Issue
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Ohio State did pretty well reloading with a young offensive roster and core of veterans on defense for the 2025 campaign.
While the Buckeyes were unable to win the Big Ten championship or defend their national title, OSU won 12 games and laid the groundwork for quarterback Julian Sayin, running back Bo Jackson, and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith to have a great 2026 season.
Ohio State lost a key coach from last season. Offensive coordinator Brian Hartline took the head coaching job with South Florida (which caused issues in the College Football Playoff when head coach Ryan Day called plays against Miami).
The Buckeyes hired former Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith to replace Hartline. However, Day made a curious decision not to have Smith as one of the coaches going on the road to recruit players.
During an appearance on ‘Always College Football‘ with host Greg McElroy, Day explained why he made that decision. Smith will focus on recruiting players when they visit campus, but OSU was limited to 10 coaches to go on the road.
“A lot of the recruiting that happens now, especially in June, is actually when folks come on our campus,” Day said, via a transcription from On3. “So, he’s going to be able to spend a lot of time with our guys.
"Even this time of year with spring ball, they’ll be on campus, and he’ll be able to spend some time with them and do Zoom meetings. But, we’re limited with how many guys can be on the road.”
Day believes Smith's efforts are better spent on preparing the offense than hitting the road to nab recruits. Smith will be "heavily involved" with recruiting, but he won't be one of the 10 coaches hopping on planes to talk to high school athletes.
“That coaching change rule that was made, that allows everyone to get on the field and coach, allowed us to change our numbers," Day said.
"Because we’re already plus-one there and we had the 10 guys designated, this was a position where he wouldn’t be going on the road. But, he’s still going to be heavily involved.”
Usually, the job description of college coordinators is to go on the road to recruit athletes. But Ohio State has seen high turnover at offensive coordinators in recent years.
Chip Kelly left OSU after winning the national championship to become the offensive coordinator of the Las Vegas Raiders. Hartline went to USF.
It's likely Smith, who has been a candidate for head coaching jobs in recent years, won't be at OSU long.
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