Ryan Day recalls what led him to Quinn Ewers in recruitment process

Ryan Day and Quinn Ewers actually go back a little bit, prior to Ewers going to Texas. Initially an early enrollee to Ohio State, Ewers spent just one football season with the Buckeyes before going back closer to home.

Skipping his senior year of high school, Ewers showed up to Columbus and there was anticipation he’d eventually take over as the starter before too long.

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However, it simply didn’t work out, Ohio State had CJ Stroud and Kyle McCord and Ewers went in a different direction. But Day saw the talent in Ewers from the jump.

“Well, he was one of the first eighth-graders that I ever offered,” Day said ahead of the Cotton Bowl. “He was in our camp here in the Woody [Hayes Athletic Center]. And I saw a young — he was a boy at the time, really, who just had a tremendous release.

“And I remember grabbing him and grabbing his dad and said: Man, you got a bright future ahead of you. I don’t know if this is good or bad, but we’re going to offer you a scholarship to Ohio State, even in eighth grade. Again, I don’t know if that’s legal or not, but we did. And then we went through the process. And boy, it was strange how it all shook out. He decided to come, really, in the middle of preseason camp for us. And so it was a little bit strange. But again, with college football, you look to adapt the best you can.”

If Stroud didn’t explode onto the scene, perhaps Ewers would’ve stuck around. But as Day and Ewers found out, it seemed to work out for both parties.

“And then CJ really had a great season that season. And he decided he really wanted to play,” Day said. “It was disappointing for us, but we certainly understood. And from afar, I’ve watched him, and he’s got a lot of talent. He’s a really good player. He comes from a great family. And he’s had a great career at Texas. And a lot of people here still have good relationships with him and think the world of him.”

Ewers will go toe to toe with his former coach in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Cotton Bowl. Texas might have a bit of a home field advantage but the Buckeyes come in blazing hot.