Ohio State football coach Ryan Day sets hefty expectations for recruiting
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Ryan Day has lofty goals for Ohio State football — and the recruits who would play there.
Since Day took over the program in 2018 following Urban Meyer’s retirement, the Buckeyes have not only won the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship, but also have a 79-12 overall record and a 54-5 mark in Big Ten Conference play.
With the success, Day revealed during an appearance on former Ohio State defensive tackle Cam Heyward‘s podcast “Not Just Football” that Ohio State has strict recruiting standards for high school players seeking to play collegiate football in Columbus, Ohio.
“Across the board at Ohio State, there’s an expectation when you come here, you’re coming to be a first- or second-rounder, regardless of your position,” Day said. “Just like, if we don’t win games and championships, they’re going to find a new coach. Well, if you’re not a first- or second-rounder, then this probably is not the right place for you.”
NEW: Ohio State has STRICT recruiting standards:
Ryan Day: “If you’re not a first or second rounder, then this probably isn’t the right place for you.” 😳 pic.twitter.com/GzuolZI4E7
— College Transfer Portal (@CollegeFBPortal) April 11, 2026
The Buckeyes have produced five first-round picks at the wide receiver position since 2022, earning the university the moniker of “Wide Receiver U. In the latest USA TODAY mock draft, the Buckeyes are projected to have four players selected in the first eight picks: linebacker Arvell Reese, safety Caleb Downs, linebacker Sonny Styles and wide receiver Carnell Tate.
In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Buckeyes had 14 players selected across the seven rounds. Half of those players went in the first two rounds, meaning the others were selected in Rounds 3-7. It’s not a stretch to assume several players from Ohio State’s 2026 roster will follow suit.
However, that does not mean every player Day has recruited has been a first- or second-round pick. Former Ohio State linebacker Dre’Mont Jones — a third-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft — had some fun with Day’s statement on social media.
“(Expletive) coach, that some tough [expletive] standards lol but shoutout to all us 3rd-8th round Buckeyes that made far in the league though. I’m proud of us lol,” Jones wrote in his post.
Damn coach that some tough ass standards lol but shoutout to all us 3rd-8th round Buckeyes that made far in the league though. I’m proud of us lol✊🏽 https://t.co/xpiq2ZcVAm
— Dre’Mont Jones (@TheOfficial_80) April 12, 2026
Ohio State draftees since Ryan Day took over in 2018
Players drafted third round or later in parentheses
- 2019: 9 (6)
- 2020: 10 (6)
- 2021: 10 (7)
- 2022: 6 (4)
- 2023: 6 (3)
- 2024: 4 (2)
- 2025: 14 (7)
- Total: 59 (35)
Ray has produced 59 players taken in the NFL draft since taking over for the 2018 college football season. Of that group, 35 have been drafted in the third round or later — 59.3%.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ryan Day tells future recruits Ohio State only for 1st-, 2nd-round NFL draft picks
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