Quick hitters from Ryan Day's National Signing Day press conference

COLUMBUS — During a press conference that lasted more than an hour and a half and was paused twice — once for a Ryan Day phone call with a recruit and once for an already-scheduled Day TV appearance — the fifth-year Buckeyes head coach discussed his 2024 recruiting class.

He also answered questions about roster management for next season, including those about transfer portal strategies and scholarship numbers.

Lettermen Row has the rundown.

Here’s what Day said Wednesday…

+ Day said Ohio State is still waiting on a few more things, but they have 18 signees so far, including seven Ohio natives. “They give us a great support to our already strong team,” he said.

+ Day said he feels strongly about offensive linemen Deontae and Devontae Armstrong and what they did at St. Edward High School. They’ve been tremendous in terms of their development, and they are playing their best football. “They have great work ethic,” Day said. He talked about the improvement week in and week out from them. They’re both bigger guys with long body types, and they’re becoming more and more comfortable at the position.

+ Day said they think wide receiver Mylan Graham gives them a lot, and he credits wide receivers coach/offensive coordinator Brian Hartline for identifying Graham early in the process. Day said the film of tight end Max LeBlanc is great, and he shouted out how he’s made the transition from Canada to playing and living in the States. LeBlanc played at the Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

+ Day said that cornerback Miles Lockhart fits what defensive coordinator Jim Knowles wants to do at the “nickel” position but can also slide outside. Day said he had a chance to watch Lockhart at the state semifinal game in Arizona. He described him as a “feisty nickel” who can play all over the field.

+ Day said D-Lineman Eric Mensah comes from a great family and is a strong player who has played multiple positions in his high school career, so he brings versatility to the Buckeyes’ defensive front. Day noted that offensive lineman Ian Moore has been great throughout the recruiting process and was one of the first commits in the 2024 class.

+ Day said quarterback Air Noland is “special in a lot of different ways.” Noland is “going to be the leader of this team” someday, Day said. Day noted that Noland was high school teammates with Buckeyes tight end Jelani Thurman, so they got a chance to see Noland a lot during the recruitment of Thurman. Day said it’s noticeable how mature Noland is with the way he carries himself, not to mention that he’s a “baller” out there on the field.

+ Day said running back James Peoples is going to make an impact early on, and he shouted out his change of direction. Day said Sam Williams-Dixon was originally listed as an “athlete,” but they’ll have him play at running back. He can line up lots of different places. The plan all along has been for them to both play as freshmen. Ohio State wants to be at four or five scholarship running backs. Right now, they’re at four.

+ Day said linebacker Payton Pierce is versatile and brings a toughness, a hard-hat mentality. He’ll do anything for his team, even if it means playing a different position.

+ Day credits cornerbacks/secondary coach Tim Walton in the recruitment of Aaron Scott Jr. and noted how much of a standout Scott has been at the corner position in the state of Ohio. Day also pointed out the addition of fellow highly-rated cornerback Bryce West. Day talked about the high-level performance of the current Buckeyes cornerbacks, and he said that’s factoring into Walton’s recruiting success.

+ Day said Scott has built himself into a really good football player, and he remembers Scott working out at Ohio State in June camp during the dead heat, and he still grinded — Scott went for an hour despite a broken wrist and everything Ohio State threw at him, Day recalled. West was offered pretty early in the process, and he was much more aggressive, especially in terms of tackling, the following season. You know what you’re getting from Glenville, Day said. He referenced the work ethic of Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese, and West is going to be the “next one” from Glenville.

+ Day said Garrett Stover will play linebacker or safety for the Buckeyes and has the same mindset as his cousin, Ohio State tight end and two-time captain Cade Stover. Day said that guys who are closest to Columbus have to lead the way, and he said that’s the case with Garrett Stover and Williams-Dixon, when asked about those two in particular.

+ Day said Damarion Witten is listed as a tight end, but he can do a lot of things. He’s dynamic out on the perimeter. Coach Tedd Ginn Sr. at Glenville told Day that Witten had a chance to be a special. And Day said he saw a lot of potential in his length and his size, even when he saw him on the basketball court. “You can see that his ceiling is extremely high,” Day said.

+ Day was asked if the offensive line and defensive line recruiting is sub-standard at Ohio State right now. He said they’re identifying the guys who are the right fit. “We always want to be the best in the country, and we feel like we have a great group coming in.”

+ Day was asked about potential coaching staff changes, and he said if there are any updates to that, he will announce them at that time. But right now they’re preparing for the Cotton Bowl.

+ Day was also asked about what factors he considers when evaluating his staff. He said the first thing is recruiting. You’re the head coach of that position. It’s your job to make sure you have the best room in the country. If you’re coaching the wide receivers, it should be “WRU.” If you’re coaching linebackers, it should be “Linebacker U.” The next thing is on-field performance, which ties into player development of course. And the last thing is “what do you bring to the table schematically?” and “are you putting your guys in the right position to be successful?”

+ Day wants eight defensive tackles and eight defensive ends. Right now, the roster for next season is projected at around 83-84 scholarship players, so the Buckeyes have a little bit of flexibility. But when asked if he’s satisfied with the depth at those positions, he said it’s yet to be seen.

+ Day was told mid-press conference that wide receiver Jeremiah Smith — the No. 1 overall prospect in the class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking — has signed with Ohio State. He gave a massive sigh of relief and then pretended to buckle his knees and pass out before checking to see if it’s been confirmed.

+ Day said there have been so many changes to the sport’s landscape, and college football adapts so quickly. But he said they all need to sit down and figure out how they can move forward with guard rails. “The number one thing for us is to adapt and move forward,” Day said. Day was then asked about looking ahead and seeing the next speed bumps in that space. He said right now it’s roster management and making sure you have a “team.” You’re trying to build something that’s sustainable, after all.

+ Day was asked about last-second flips and if it affects how aggressive Ohio State is in the portal. He said “yes.” Day said his program always contingency plans in place. Just like in the NFL with draft boards, they have boards for high school recruiting and the transfer portal. It’s a long process, Day said, pointing out that there’s also a portal window in the spring. They’re striving for the right mix of high school/transfer portal players.

+ Day was asked if he knows about the future of stars Marvin Harrison Jr., J.T. Tuimoloau and TreVeyon Henderson. Day said he’s letting them make their decisions on their own time, but they’re all practicing right now. But Day emphasized how they have a good group playing in the Cotton Bowl. Day mentioned that quarterback Devin Brown will, in fact, be the starter against Missouri on Dec. 29.

+ When asked about potential retirement rumors regarding defensive line coach Larry Johnson, Day said Johnson, 72, is “young,” “has a lot of energy” and wants to continue to coach. He still has a passion for coaching, Day said. His wisdom and experience are the best in the country, Day said. Day said that families feel like when they hand their kid over to Johnson, they know what they’re going to get. Day said he expects Johnson back next season.

+ Day was asked if he thinks they cast a big enough net for recruiting defensive linemen. He believes they do, noting that right now they have D-Linemen from right down the street (Jack Sawyer), Seattle (J.T. Tuimoloau) and Germany (Hero Kanu).

+ Day was asked about the Kyle McCord situation. He said McCord was very well respected at Ohio State and made a lot of relationships in Columbus. He said he wishes him nothing but the best of luck at his next school, and he thinks he will do well there.

+ Day said that competition in the quarterback room is healthy. He’s fired up about the way Devin has been practicing the last couple weeks. Brown was “real close” in the competition ahead of the 2023 season, and now he has the opportunity to take over the team and run with it. “The last couple of practices have been very good,” Day noted. He said Brown has been able to play more freely and not worry about making mistakes.

+ Day left the press conference to take a phone call. Around 10 minutes later, he returned with a big smile on his face (Day was later asked if that call was from Buford, Georgia, where defensive end commit Eddrick Houston is from — Day chuckled and said he couldn’t comment on that). But, directly after returning, Day was asked if there’s a possibility Ohio State will have a couple of transfers join the team this winter. He’s said there’s definitely a possibility. He stressed the importance of making sure it’s the right fit.

+ Day said the portal could be part of the running back situation based on how things shake out here. They’ll let TreVeyon Henderson make his decision and go from there. Henderson’s decision will have an effect on what Ohio State does at running back next year.

+ Day said he doesn’t feel like the Buckeyes are behind in the portal process. They’ve already had some guys visit, but they’re also waiting for their current players to decide if they’re coming back. He again emphasized that Ohio State has an opportunity to have a “really good group” coming back for 2024.

+ Day then left the press conference again to do an interview with Big Ten Network. When he returned, he said, “I feel like this press conference is like signing day. You guys are getting a feel for how hectic and crazy it can get,” he joked.

+ Day was asked if it’s become harder to hold onto commits. You just “keep swinging,” Day said. The ultimate goal is to have the best roster in America come August. Day said every situation is probably different when asked why some players make last-minute switches.

+ Day was asked about the scholarship situation and how you get to the projected number of 83-84 scholarship players for 2024 (Note: 14 Ohio State players have entered the portal so far). Day said the extra COVID year log jammed things a bit. Day said that some of those guys felt like they had an opportunity to get on the field somewhere else sooner. Day explained that, because Ohio State recruits at a high level, if players there don’t get on the field by year three or four, they’ll probably have chances elsewhere.

+ Day said “the first beer’s going to taste good” when asked about what this National Signing Day has been like for him. But this is the reality when you’re going for the best players in the country. He’s excited about the group coming in.

+ Day was asked how he deals with players coming in and wanting a raise, in terms of NIL money. “I think everybody wants what’s fair,” Day said, “and I think that’s fair of them to think that way. So it’s our job to advocate for them. But at the same time, there are only so many spots on the roster, and you have to manage it the best you can.”

+ Day said that even though there are more and more variables in recruiting as the years go on, it always comes down to relationships. But also: “They all want the bright lights. They want to be relevant. They want big. And when you come to Ohio State that’s what you have to think. And you’ve got to want all of that. I think that’s the common thread that runs through these guys.”

+ Lastly, with Houston signing late in the press conference, Day asked if he was allowed to talk about him. He got approval and then said this: “Eddrick Houston, really, really excited about Eddrick. Larry worked hard on this one. Comes from an unbelievable program down in Buford. We feel like he’s an impact player, Day One.” Day said they identified him early as someone who’s a difference maker. He credits not only Johnson but also Walton with leading that recruitment. Day also did confirm that it was, in fact, Houston who he was talking to on the phone earlier (from the question above).