Early offers could signal different approach from Day in recruiting
Ryan Day took the Ohio State head coaching job from Urban Meyer knowing full well there is no substitute for winning when it comes to leading the Buckeyes. Succeeding with players from Ohio isn’t an absolute necessity, but it sure is nice in a state that takes football as seriously or more than any other.
As an assistant on Meyer’s staff the past three years, Day surely became aware trying to maximize signing the best talent available (i. e., players from across the country interested in Ohio State) and keeping local pipelines open is a tricky balancing act.
To that end, the biggest obstacle Meyer faced was getting comfortable enough with an in-state prospect to make a scholarship offer as early as some programs from elsewhere were.
Waiting too long to make that call appeared to cost him at least a player or two annually, and that seems to be something Day intends to prevent.
According to 247Sports.com, five members of the 2021 class (current sophomores) already have verbal offers from Ohio State: receivers Jayden Ballard of Massillon Washington and Lorenzo Styles Jr. of Pickerington Central, offensive lineman Ben Christman of Richfield Revere and defensive linemen Najee Story of Solon and Jack Sawyer of Pickerington North.
Sawyer committed to Ohio State on Feb. 3.
By comparison, only seven offers are reportedly out for current juniors (a process that began while Meyer was still calling the shots): running backs Jutahn McClain of Fairfield and Michael Drennan II of Dublin Coffman, tight end Caden Clark of Akron Hoban, offensive linemen Parris Johnson II of Cincinnati St. Xavier and Jakob James of Cincinnati Elder, defensive lineman Darrion Henry of Cincinnati Princeton and linebacker DeaMonte Trayanum of Akron Hoban.
Meanwhile, Ohio State sent out 13 in-state offers in all of the 2019 recruiting cycle after making 10 in 2018 and nine in 2017.
When speaking about wrapping up the 2019 class on Feb. 6, Day acknowledged the uptick in early offers was both a result of
continued from C1 the level of talent available in the sophomore class and a desire to get the ball rolling with some of those prospects earlier.
“There are great players in the state of Ohio,” Day said. “We’re out there being aggressive and going after them.”
While Clark has verbally committed to Alabama, Johnson and James are both Ohio State verbal commitments for 2020.
With offensive line depth being a priority in 2020, getting those two early commitments for next year is a double-win for Day, who can’t speak about specific recruits on the record until they sign.
“When I was here for the first signing day (in December), I think the question was asked about Ohio offensive linemen,” he said. “I said that was going to be an emphasis, and it is. We’re all over that. I mean, that’s from when we wake up in the morning till we go to bed at night. That’s not going to change.”
Added Attraction at The Schott
Ohio State fans wanting to get a look at Day’s new assistants in person can do so tonight. The staff is set to be introduced at halftime of the Buckeye men’s basketball team’s game against Illinois, which tips at 7 p.m. at Value City Arena.
Day’s staff includes five newcomers — quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Mike Yurcich, co-defensive coordinator Greg Mattison, co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Jeff Hafley, linebackers coach Al Washington and special teams coach/assistant secondary coach Matt Barnes.
Back from last season are defensive line coach Larry Johnson, who was promoted to associate head coach, offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Kevin Wilson, running backs coach Tony Alford (who also has the title assistant head coach for offense), offensive line coach Greg Studrawa and receivers coach Brian Hartline.
Hartline, a former OSU receiver, served on an interim basis last season and was given the job on a permanent basis in December.