Ryan Day calls late NFL-to-college transfers ‘frustrating’ but won’t let Ohio State fall behind
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It’s a crazy world of college athletics out there and college coaches are trying to navigate the wild times. Thanks to the NCAA coming out with the new 5-for-5 rule, which eliminates the redshirt rule and traditional waivers, allowing athletes to have five years of eligibility, it’s opened a can of worms.
The class of 2022 wants in the mix and there are all kinds of lawsuits taking place in order for these players to gain an additional year, getting injunctions and temporary restraining orders so they can play college sports in 2026.
Recently, Cleveland Browns tight end Dae’Quan Wright, who played at Ole Miss under Lane Kiffin, suited up for the NFL team during their second preseason game, but he had already committed to LSU to play for the Tigers in 2026.
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Ohio State coach Ryan Day is frustrated
During his weekly press conference, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day is the latest coach to express his displeasure with how things are operating in the college football world. He joins fellow Big Ten coach Dan Lanning, who was also critical of how things are being done.
“Yeah, I told myself I would stop saying that this is crazy because — yeah, I’m not gonna say that, but to think that we’re in a situation where we’re this late in the season and our rosters are not locked in is, is frustrating at the very least,” Day said.
And how could things be fixed? Day simply believes the conferences need to talk, communicate and find a date where rosters need to be locked. Week 0 of college football will take place this weekend, and as of Monday, rosters are being shifted around.
“Well, I think, in my, my opinion, the conferences have to decide if there’s a point where their rosters have to be locked in,” said Day. “Because once some of these guys become available, adding them to the roster is gonna provide an advantage for certain teams.
“So we’re certainly having conversations. I’ve had conversations with Tony Pettitti about this. I know he’s all over it and trying to do what’s best for the conference.”
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Not ruling OSU out of joining in on the action
Ohio State arguably has the best roster in all of college football entering the 2026 season, along with one of the most expensive rosters out there. And even though Day isn’t happy with the NFL-to-college transfers, he would consider adding a player if it helped Ohio State.
“If there are teams that have some players out there who are cut from NFL rosters that are gonna be on other teams, we have to at least consider it and look at it,” Day admitted. “Do I like anything about it? Absolutely not, but we got to do what’s right for Ohio State. So it’s sort of a, a day to day thing right now.”
Ohio State will open its season up on Sept. 5 against Ball State. And as of now, the Buckeyes’ roster is set.
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