Ryan Day reveals a new role for Marvin Harrison Jr., comments on QB and CB competitions

Ryan Day spoke with reporters after Ohio State’s first spring practice, and shared several updates, including a new role for Marvin Harrison, Jr.

Day said Harrison Jr. is returning punts this spring because Emeka Egbuka is out and Ohio State wants to build depth at punt returner. Day also wants to find new ways to get Harrison Jr. more involved this year.

“We’re gonna put a bunch of guys back (at punt returner),” Day said.

As for other wide receivers, Day shared “this is a very, very big spring” for second-year receivers Kojo Antwi, Kaleb Brown, Caleb Burton and Kyion Grayes. That’s because true freshman receivers Carnell Tate, Noah Rogers and Bryson Rodgers are already pushing them.

Denzel Burke has had a great offseason and had a great first day of practice, Day said. He expects a good competition for starting jobs at cornerback with Davison Igbinosun, Jordan Hancock among those in the mix.

As for the quarterbacks, there won’t be a shortage of reps, Day said. Kyle McCord and Devin Brown will have plenty of time to show what they can deliver.

“Those guys are gonna compete and get a ton of reps,” Day said. “We have 3 groups running at a time, so there’s lots of reps to go around.”

Day also offered some insight into what he’s looking for at QB.

“I think the first thing is leadership. You have to be felt and heard,” he said. “It’s our job as quarterbacks to lead the team… being that leader is critically important… and then toughness. … The quarterback doesn’t need to be superhuman. He just needs to make the routine plays routinely.”

H/T Dan Hope and Chase Brown.