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Ryan Day preaches optimism at B1G Media Days, but questions surrounding the offense persist
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Ryan Day knows all about the high expectations that reside in Columbus. He also knows about elite talent, something the Buckeyes have in spades for the 2024 season.
However, it was not the expectations or the talent level that shone through during Day’s appearance at 2024 Big Ten Media Days as one thing became abundantly clear:
For all their talent, the Buckeye offense remains rife with question marks entering fall camp.
Don’t get it twisted. On paper, few programs in the country are as well-positioned as Ohio State on either side of the ball, and the offense is no different.
The quarterback room? Loaded with blue-chip prospects. The running back position? Two strong. The wide receiver room? A potential All-American candidate surrounded by more blue chips. The offensive line? Well…
The biggest question mark is still the offensive line, but that’s not the only area that I will be closely monitoring in fall camp. But as it pertains to Day, his comments on Tuesday did little to instill much confidence in the offense as a cohesive unit in this point in the process.
Here are some the areas Day addressed on Tuesday and the concerns that go along with them:
A developing o-line
During the disappointments of 2023, it was the performance of QB Kyle McCord that drew the biggest criticism. However, it’s also true the offensive line fell flat at key moments and needs to be better this fall.
Day admitted on Tuesday the unit is one where the program has “been locked in on.” He also said the group as a whole has produced a great summer and understands the performance of the team will be dictated by the trenches.
Right guard is the position where Ohio State is most concerned, and Day listed Carson Hinzman and Seth McLaughlin as players who can slot in at both center and guard. Tegra Tshabola and Luke Montgomery are the other players Day mentioned by name as potential contributors.
Ultimately, Day spoke positively of the group as “decent guys in there that can fill that role.” But until the Buckeyes prove the depth and talent on the line is for real, there is some concern overall.
Top-heavy WR room
Ohio State has been a WR factory since the arrival of Brian Hartline. That is unlikely to change with a talent-rich group once again, but it is one that is lacking in overall experience entering the season.
Day himself acknowledged the WR room as “kind of top-heavy” and said the search is on to try and get to 4-7 players deep. Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith stand poised to lead the room, but Day referenced 4 other players who need to solidify their spot and show what they can do.
Brandon Inniss, a 5-star prospect from the 2023 recruiting class, is a potential breakout candidate after seeing limited action as a freshman. Jayden Ballard, a relative veteran from the class of 2021, has all the tools and talent but produced just 10 catches in his first 3 seasons.
Bryson Rodgers and Kojo Antwi were the other players Day spoke of needing to step up and provide depth throughout the season.
If there was any question about the status of the group, Day pointed to the preseason as a critical period to see the depth come together:
“So that four, five, six, and seven is going to be critical in solidifying the wide receiver depth, but that’s going to have to happen this preseason,” said Day.
The potential equalizer
Ohio State’s question marks have a potential equalizer on the coaching staff. No, it’s not the play-calling abilities of Day but rather those of Chip Kelly, a new offensive coordinator and someone Day says he trusts “with my life.”
How the offense operates on a game day is a picture still left unseen for fans, but Day’s description of the former Oregon and UCLA head coach matters. Mainly, Kelly’s ability to fit an offense around the personnel.
“He was at UCLA. You saw him do things with three tight ends in the game. Before that there was a lot of two-back stuff. There’s a lot of different versatility in his background,” Day outlined.
“I think the idea is, all right, what fits our guys? It starts with the quarterback and then it goes to the offensive line, the running backs, the receivers, and how that all gets put together.”
With Kelly’s offensive mind, maybe Ohio State doesn’t need to have the best offensive line in the country. Or the deepest receiving room. Or a Heisman Trophy finalist at QB.
But if we’re honest, that is a longer list of “maybes” than one wants for a program with some of the best national championship odds in the country. (And be sure to track all the odds this season with Tradition’s Ohio betting apps.)
Either way, this year’s training camp has higher stakes than normal for Ohio State, and don’t think for a second those stakes are contained in yet another QB battle for Day’s group.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.