Here’s what Ohio State coach Ryan Day said during his Monday press conference

It’s not quite game week for the Buckeyes, but Ohio State coach Ryan Day still met with the media in Columbus on Monday morning.

Ohio State’s season will kick off next Thursday, so Day and the Buckeyes coaching staff should be finalizing the depth chart more quickly than most other teams in the Big Ten.

Day said the Buckeyes are close to having their offensive line starting lineup set in stone with Nicholas Petit-Frere and Dawand Jones at the tackle positions. Thayer Munford would then slot in at left guard.

Ryan Day says Ohio State is “pretty close” to settling on playing Nicholas Petit-Frere at left tackle, Thayer Munford at left guard and Dawand Jones at right tackle, though he says Matthew Jones has practiced really well and is also in the mix.

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) August 23, 2021

On the defensive side of the ball, Day said they are still waiting to hear back from the NCAA on the status of former 5-star linebacker transfer Palaie Gaoteote. Last week, Day expressed optimism that Gaoteote would be able to get a waiver.

Ryan Day said Ohio State is still waiting for an answer from the NCAA on Palaie Gaoteote’s eligibility.

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) August 23, 2021

On special teams, Day says Ohio State’s kicker competition is still ongoing. That battle is between Jake Seibert and Noah Ruggles.  Seibert went 16-of-16 on extra points and 1-of-2 on field goals last season while serving as Blake Haubeil’s backup.

Ryan Day said Jake Seibert and Noah Ruggles are still competing to be Ohio State’s top kicker.

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) August 23, 2021

Here’s more of what Day said on Monday morning:

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day on Marcus Hooker being back with the #Buckeyes. pic.twitter.com/8XYxqhfIAy

— Dillon Davis (@DillonDavis56) August 23, 2021

Ryan Day says there are about 10 Ohio State players who are still unvaccinated, though more and more players have been vaccinated.

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) August 23, 2021

Asked about the new Big Ten policy that teams who cannot play due to COVID-19 this season will have to forfeit, Ryan Day said he doesn’t know what to think about that yet. “I hope it doesn’t happen.”

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) August 23, 2021

Ryan Day said the Buckeyes who aren’t vaccinated are getting tested twice a week by the university. Guys who are aren’t getting tested. Day adds about only 10 guys aren’t vaccinated. @nbc4i

— Whitney Harding (@WhitneyNBC4) August 23, 2021

Ryan Day is speaking to media. Said there’s more depth in secondary than OSU has had lately. Still sorting things out back there in terms of pecking order.

— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) August 23, 2021

Ohio State faces Minnesota on Sept. 2.

Spenser Davis

Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.