Ryan Day speaks on importance of mental health, early impressions of Jim Knowles' teaching

Ryan Day and Ohio State returned to spring practice on Tuesday, and the Buckeyes coach discussed a variety of issues.

Day spoke about Harry Miller’s appearance on the “Today” show to discuss his public announcement on his mental health journey. Day also gave some insight into the Pro Day, and how CJ Stroud and Cardale Jones will throw for the wide receivers.

Day said it’s too early to develop much of an impression on the offensive line because it has a new position coach in Justin Frye, but plenty of continuity among the players. Paris Johnson is at left tackle and Donovan Jackson is at guard, as expected.

Day said he was impressed with Jim Knowles and teaching the defense. Day said there was one practice before spring break that Knowles ran the same defense the entire practice.

Players who were injured or similarly limited, such as DE Zach Harrison went through drills with other defensive linemen after being limited when the Buckeyes opened spring practice 2 weeks ago. CB Cameron Brown was more involved in practice and a participant in position drills. He was first up in a group with fellow cornerback Denzel Burke, as well as safeties Ronnie Hickman and Kourt Williams.

Cody Simon ran off to the side on Tuesday as the starter at middle linebacker for most of last season, is recovering from shoulder surgery ahead of the Rose Bowl.

A position switch for Cade Stover may be permanent after he was a tight end last season, and now continues to work with the linebackers. Coach Ryan Day said it will be up to Stover as far as which side of the ball he plays in 2022. LB Mitchell Melton worked with the defensive line drills as he continues to cross-train at both positions.

H/T The Columbus Dispatch.

Here’s a sampling of some of Day’s comments:

In his first news conference since Ohio State returned from spring break, Ryan Day is discussing Harry Miller’s receent medical retirement and mental health battle.

Day said he is “proud that he’s in a better place than he was a year ago.”

— Joey Kaufman (@joeyrkaufman) March 22, 2022

Ryan Day said the plan is to have Cardale Jones and C.J. Stroud throw to Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave at Ohio State’s Pro Day tomorrow

— Justin Holbrock (@NBC4Justin) March 22, 2022

Ryan Day on the importance of addressing mental health: “It’s something we need to be aware of and it’s why we’ve put these resources in place to be able to handle what our guys need.”

— Justin Holbrock (@NBC4Justin) March 22, 2022

Ryan Day stressing the importance of having 1 or 2 TEs not he field to be able to do what they want to do with physicality. Will consider 10 personnel but limits what you can do. #Buckeyes

— Kevin Noon (@Kevin_Noon) March 22, 2022

Ryan Day: “We have to have tight ends.” On the possibility of using packages without tight ends, Ryan Day said Ohio State will consider that but not having a tight end on the field limits what the Buckeyes can do offensively.

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) March 22, 2022

Ryan Day said new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said he’s impressed that early practices haven’t been about “competition.”

They’ve been about “teaching.”

“He understands the big picture.”#Buckeyes

— Jacob Benge (@JacobBenge) March 22, 2022

Day said Jim Knowles used the same defensive scheme for an entire practice against Ohio State’s offense in order to make sure the players understand that. This guy’s teaching techniques are impressive.

— Patrick Murphy (@_Pat_Murphy) March 22, 2022

Day says the thing he’s noticed the most with Jim Knowles at defensive coordinator is that practice and drills aren’t about competition or winning. He says it’s more about teaching, which Day believes will ultimately help his team more in the long run

— Justin Holbrock (@NBC4Justin) March 22, 2022