Ryan Day, Buckeyes Will be the Center of Attention at Big Ten Media Days
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Big Ten Media Days are the final Power Four conference media days, and if they are anything like the other three conferences, we are in for a show.
Media Days are a very good opportunity to get to see the players in a slightly different environment than many fans are typically used to. This year, Buckeye Nation will get to hear from head coach Ryan Day, quarterback Julian Sayin, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, and safety Jaylen McLain.
Those are the three-star players on the Buckeyes' roster and the ones who have the keys to the season. The true star of the entire three-day event is going to be Sayin.
Julian Sayin showed last year that the good version of him is so good, but the bad version of his game isn't good enough. As the Buckeyes look to replace or reload at several key positions, none of it will matter unless the QB shows up and leads the team.
McLain is a guy on defense who is truthfully flying under the radar in terms of the Ohio State defense. He has been overshadowed by transfers Terry Moore and Earl Little Jr., but he should be the guy who has the best opportunity to replace the production of Caleb Downs next season.
For Smith, everyone knows exactly what he is. There are no question marks about his game or his character. He is a player who was actually made in a lab as the perfect football player, and he has shown that every single day that he has been a Buckeye.
The lone concern with Smith is what happens to this offense if he gets hurt? If he doesn't get injured, the only other question is whether he will get to 1,500 yards next season.
I would be willing to bet a lot of my money that none of these three players are going to be on a headline anywhere after this week. They are perfectly media-trained, and none have the personality to stir the pot at all.
With that said, they will be at the center of attention. The end of last season was bizarre for the Buckeyes in many ways. They rolled over bad teams on their schedule but were physically outmatched by the good ones. Next year, their schedule will be one of the hardest in the country.
It was very obvious that there was work that needed to be done, and many people were going to be looking for those answers.
The one cherry on top of Media Days is that it marks the unofficial beginning of the season. Football is right around the corner.
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