Ohio State might just come off fresh from a Cinderella run with a massive national title under their belt, but that doesn’t just guarantee them another breakout year at Columbus. So, heading to the long and preparative offseason, concerns are high as most of Ryan Day’s offensive right hands signed up for the NFL next year, leaving several holes on the depth chart.

While that is kind of a common misery in every team, and the Buckeyes tend to reload players to assume greater roles in the upcoming year, David Pollack sees rising alarm in OSU’s current roster dilemma, and Julian Sayin, their expected new go-to QB in 2025.

OSU and Ryan Day 2025 roster holes exposed by national analyst

What is the tea behind it? Ryan Day had it all after a gusty fight through his way to the national championship. He was able to dodge the nasty death threats and the largely unpopular fire Ryan Day hashtag with flawless momentum later in the season. But now, we can’t afford the luxury to chew over the past sweet memory. It was the time for Portal to take over, but Day lost more than he picked.

Explaining the jeopardy, David Pollack noted, ‘‘Ohio State is losing some dudes. Guys that have been there for a long time, they have been dogs, that defensive side of the football. Yes, they got two on the other side. Both these dudes are going to be four, and two are going to run the show, but Julian is saying like, again, transfer QB from Alabama when Nick Saban left, peace out, I will go hall on Ryan Day.”

Well, Pollack is again on point in his predictive analysis. Day has really been looking pale in retaining talents. They let go of both coordinators and multiple starters signed for the NFL, including goated QB Will Howard, running backs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson, and the program’s all-time receiving leader, Emeka Egbuka. They will also need to revamp the high-flying offensive line headed by Kelly.

Sack leaders JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer won’t be a part of the new destiny line for the Buckeyes. “You know Egbuka is an animal obviously, Tate looks good, Smith looks good, but just a lot to replace with Henderson and Judkins and others, especially defensively. I’m not ready to put them,” Pollack pinpointed the stumbles, keeping Ohio State on Number 2 after Texas in a ‘not-too early’ 2025 top-five teams’ list.

However, what Pollack updated on Sayin is really concerning. The No. 3 ranked quarterback in the class of 2024 was initially a Tide, but Saban’s unexpected retirement changed the whole ball game. He decided to hit the portal and immediately gained attention. After going a bit back and forth, he chose Ryan Day and the Buckeyes. Hopes are high that the newbie will replace Will Howard and take up the starting role as the coach asked him to take notes on how a national championship-winning team’s QBs performed their skills. Now, a change of mind of the California kid might unsettle things for Ohio State in a blink.

Adding to the misery, Day seems to be on the cusp of losing another gem on his coaching board.

Texas goes heavy on the OSU assistant coaching staff

Ryan Day was already forced to reshuffle the coaching front a lot. Even a national championship victory this past season couldn’t solidify his coaching crew. Either Day failed to gain the trust from them for one more year at Columbus or some bigger paychecks did the job better. Whatever the reason, the Buckeyes look highly clumsy on the coaching line. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly spent just one season with the Buckeyes before being hired for the same role with the Las Vegas Raiders. A sureshot step back for Ohio State!

Meanwhile, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles also found Penn State a better fit than OSU. Knowles reportedly couldn’t accept Day’s hands-on approach defensively and left for Penn State for higher autonomy. Now, LaAllan Clark, the OSU graduate assistant, seems to have joined the rank.

The Longhorns are reportedly looking to manipulate current Ohio State graduate assistant LaAllan Clark into jumping ship to Texas the next season. Besides working in the college ranks, Clark has worked with current NFL pass rushers like Ed Oliver, Jeffrey Simmons, and Danielle Hunter, adding much value to his resume. Texas has listed Pete Kwiatkowski as the outside linebackers coach, hinting he would soon be moved out for another role. So, it looks like Clark can fill the void.

If that is the case, Pollack’s Texas pick as the best in the 2025 national title front gains another point to flaunt.