Scarlet Sunrise: When it comes to transfer portal, Ryan Day says 'you have to adapt with the times'

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When it comes to transfer portal, Ryan Day says ‘you have to adapt with the times’

Ohio State was nowhere as active in the transfer portal as some programs this offseason. Naturally, the Buckeyes didn’t sniff Colorado’s earth-shattering 49 transfer additions. And they weren’t close to rivaling schools such as Arizona State (28 transfer additions), Louisville (25), Ole Miss (23) and Auburn (20).

But, for Ohio State standards, the Buckeyes were significantly more involved in the portal this offseason than they ever have been before.

Head coach Ryan Day and his staff brought aboard nine scholarship players in the portal: Syracuse safety Ja’Had Carter, Ole Miss cornerback Davison Igbinosun, Oregon State quarterback Tristan Gebbia, Louisiana-Monroe offensive lineman Victor Cutler Jr., Arizona State long snapper John Ferlmann, Kent State kicker Casey Magyar, Ole Miss defensive tackle Twyone Malone, San Diego State offensive lineman Josh Simmons and Notre Dame receiver-turned-corner Lorenzo Styles Jr.

“Like everybody else across the country, we have folks here that have the job [and] responsibility to study the portal, identify the portal, evaluate the portal,” Day told On3’s J.D. PicKell onsaid on “The Hard Count.”

“But it isn’t just about the talent. It’s about the right fit. Rarely are we going to try to add somebody just to add somebody in the portal. This is a program that you don’t just walk into. Our offseason is really the backbone of our program. What [strength and conditioning coach] Mickey Marotti does and his staff in the weight room in the winter and, now, in the summer — we take it very, very serious.”

Still, as selective as Ohio State has remained, it’s noteworthy that the Buckeyes nearly reeled in double-digit transfers. Whereas before, the programs was plucking one, two or maybe three players from the portal per year.

So why the shift? Well, on one hand, Ohio State did have some significant needs at key positions, such as safety and offensive line. But the Buckeyes’ uptick in portal activity is also proof of a shift in Day’s transfer portal strategy.

Gone are the days when you can solely rely on a robust high school recruiting pipeline.

“You have to adapt with the times and you have to upgrade your roster,” Day said. “When there are holes based on guys who have left or whatever that reason is, you have to fill those holes. That’s what we’re going to do.

“When there’s a hole, we’ll use the portal when appropriate.”

Ohio State quarterback commit Air Noland ready for critical official visit

Air Noland, Ohio State’s 2024 quarterback commit, was competing at the Elite 11 Finals in Los Angeles this week.

The four-star Fairburn (Ga) Langston Hughes signal caller was up against the likes of Georgia commit (and one-time Buckeyes pledge) Dylan Raiola and Alabama commit Julian Sayin (the event’s MVP).

Now, he’s headed to Columbus for his official visit, a critical official visit for Ohio State.

“I want to make sure that these guys have the same point of view about Ohio State that I have,” Noland told Lettermen Row.

For the full story, go here.

On3's Elite 11 Top Performers🎯

Story from @CharlesPower: https://t.co/lyV90REVpB pic.twitter.com/ZuwnZ8IUHc

— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) June 16, 2023

Preseason honors starting to roll in for Buckeyes

It’s that time of the summer. Preseason honors are starting to roll in for Ohio State.

The Buckeyes have the potential to produce a record number of draft picks this season — they’re in the running to have as many or more than six first-round selections in 2024. For reference, only two other schools have had six players taken in the opening round of the NFL Draft: Miami in the 2004 draft and Alabama in the 2021 draft.

So it makes sense for several Buckeyes to frequent watch lists this time around.

Eight Ohio State players were named to Athlon’s Preseason All-American teams, and six Buckeyes standouts were included on Phil Steele’s Preseason All-American squads.

accolades have begun for the buckeyes 🌰 pic.twitter.com/8vIZj9HHly

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) June 16, 2023

Making three predictions for Ohio State wide receivers

For Lettermen Row “Wide Receivers Week,” we are making three predictions about the Buckeyes’ most talented position group.

Ohio State has had three wideouts drafted in the first round the last two years, and the program has at least two more on the way in 2024.

Can Marvin Harrison Jr. solidify himself as the first top-three pick at the position since Calvin Johnson Jr. in 2007? What about Emeka Egbuka, what kind of junior season will he have? And don’t forget about the Buckeyes’ intriguing crop of first-year receivers — who will emerge from that foursome?

Questions are tackled and predictions are made in this piece.

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• Top-five wide receiver performances since Ryan Day became head coach

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Indiana: 78 days

Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 162 days

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