Quick hitters from first Ryan Day spring ball press conference

COLUMBUS — Ohio State head coach Ryan Day met with the media Tuesday after the first practice of spring ball. Lettermen Row has a rundown of what Day said.

What Day said Tuesday…

+ Day was asked about offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Chip Kelly’s experience with the run game. Day said that’s huge. Day added that Kelly and him “see things the same way.” Kelly is excited about the guys Ohio State has up front as well as the running backs in the fold, Day noted. Day said it helps that all of the Buckeyes’ quarterbacks are mobile.

+ Day was asked about Sonny Styles being at linebacker Tuesday. “We know that his skill set is versatile,” Day said. Day said Styles brings a lot to the table and that, although you’ll see him at linebacker, you’ll also see Styles doing lots of different things this season.

+ Day emphasized that he and Kelly are great friends, in addition to having a player-to-coach and coach-to-coach relationship. Day said he’s always admired the competitive spirit and adaptability of Kelly. Day said they haven’t talked about whether Kelly will be on the field or in the booth as play-caller. Day said he doesn’t see it as Kelly working for him now, it’s more that Kelly works with him.

+ Day was asked about how he’s handled backing off working with quarterbacks. He said that Kelly is coaching the quarterbacks, and so much of what he learned was from Kelly. “I’ll still be very much involved, but certainly Chip is running it,” Day said. He noted there’s a lot of give-and-take there.

+ Day said he thinks, between 7-on-7 and team periods, they had about 150 reps today, which he said is great for the quarterbacks. “The more we can get, the better,” Day said of that rep count. Day explained that a beefier spring roster — because of more mid-year players nowadays — helps generate more reps.

+ Day said Luke Montgomery can still play some tackle, but they also want to look at him at guard because of his quickness and bend. With the scheme that they’re going to be running, he has the necessary skill set at guard.

+ Day was asked what made him confident Kelly can coach the quarterbacks. Day pointed to the fact that Kelly has coached all positions during his career. Kelly, of course, coached Day when he was the quarterback at the UNH. “When you’re the play-caller, you want to be lock step with the quarterback,” Day added. That allows you to call the game with more confidence.

+ Day said tempo is always going to be a part of what Ohio State does. But that doesn’t mean Ohio State will go fast every play. Tempo and huddle will be mixed in, but it’s not cookie cutter. Kelly has always been innovative, Day emphasized.

+ Day said he felt “more present with the whole operation” in being able to take more of a CEO approach Tuesday at practice.

+ Day was asked where Devin Brown is in this quarterback competition. He brought the same demeanor and conviction to practice that he showed in his media appearance this week, Day said. If he keeps doing that, he’s going to have a hell of a spring, Day noted.

+ Day said center Carson Hinzman had a great few months after the Cotton Bowl, which he didn’t play in because he was struggling down the stretch. Day said Hinzman’s numbers in the weight room have been very good, and his work with strength coach Mick Marotti has stood out. That allows Hinzman a great opportunity to compete with Alabama grad transfer Seth McLaughlin in the spring. Day said the fact that Hinzman started 12 games, 11 of which Ohio State won, matters.

+ Day clarified that this is the Ohio State offense — not the Day offense or the Kelly offense — because they want it to be “sustainable.”

+ Day was asked about the assemblage of talent. He said you think about that kind of thing during mat drills, team runs, etc. But once you get on the field, “it’s about the discipline of knowing what to do,” effort and focus more than anything.

+ Five Ohio State players will be sidelined for spring practice: safety Malik Hartford, linebacker Payton Pierce, offensive lineman Miles Walker, cornerback Bryce West and safety/linebacker Kourt Williams II. Day expects those guys back for preseason.