Ryan Day breaks down what goes into Ohio State’s national recruiting footprint

When Ryan Day talks about Ohio State recruiting nationally, he is not kidding. If there is a player the Buckeyes staff thinks can contribute to their program, they will go and recruit him no matter where he is.

Speaking on the “Bussin’ with the Boys” podcast during spring football, Day explained what underpins the national recruiting net that Ohio State casts. First, the foundation of the recruiting is still in Ohio and the midwest. And secondly, the Buckeyes can go far and wide in search of players because the brand and expectations precede them.

“Our foundation is here in Ohio, and that’s always going to be that way,” Day said. “But we want to go recruit guys who want to be elite. So although there’s people from all different parts of the country with different backgrounds, we want people who think big here at Ohio State. So, like you said, a loaded wide receiver room, loaded D line room, offensive line room. Sometimes, when teams recruit against us, it’s ‘Well, they have a loaded room. Why would you go there, you can come over here and play?’ Well, we’re recruiting you because we think you can play. And if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. I think that’s gotta be the mentality and it has been.”

Currently, Ohio State has players from 23 different U.S. states on the roster, plus an Australian — punter Jesse Mirco.

The bulk of the roster is comprised of Ohioans, with nearly 50 currently in the fold for the Buckeyes. Additionally, players from Pennsylvania, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin are all on the roster. But the Buckeyes go farther and wider than that for their talent.

From Florida to Washington, Hawaii to Connecticut and everywhere in between — namely California, Texas and Georgia — Ohio State has found players to add to the roster.

Competing for national championships — Ohio State has made five of the nine College Football Playoff fields to date, winning the inaugural title — and development for the NFL are obvious selling points for prospects from around the nation. But Day also highlighted some of the other things to offer, namely Ohio State as a place for these players to come and get a head start on life after football, either via their degree, networking with alumni, or both.

“The goal is for them to be able to find their passion so that they don’t really have to work a day in their life. They’re finding something that they like to do. So, that combined with, obviously, the football platform that you have here. And the ability to play for national championships,” Day said. “You know, when you walk in the building right here, you enjoy being in the building every day. You enjoy grinding, getting after it every day.”