Ryan Day and the Buckeyes are in a full-blown Squid Game of CFB misery. A team that should be riding high after a title win is instead falling apart, one bad beat at a time. What’s the deal? Losing key coaches like Jim Knowles (to Penn State) and Justin Frye (to the Cardinals) definitely didn’t help. Now, this fallout came to an extent where Buckeyes alleged top offensive commits teeter on the edge, with fans questioning their future under Day.

Well, Ryan Day finds himself in a precarious situation as the coordinator positions at Ohio State are slipping out of his control. First, the departure of coach Mike and the reported move of Justin Frye to the Arizona Cardinals have left both the offense and defense in disarray. Pete Nakos highlights the challenge ahead, stating, “Ohio State will have to hire a new defensive coordinator and offensive line coach this cycle.” This unexpected scenario has caught everyone, especially Day, off guard.

However, amidst the chaos, there is still optimism for Ohio State’s recruiting efforts. Two highly touted recruits from the 2026 class, Jackson Cantwell and Maxwell Riley, who share a strong bond with Frye, have broken their silence regarding his exit. OT Cantwell, who is in high demand, responded in a measured manner, saying, “He did say he would take a good pro job if it came available, and he’s definitely deserving of it. I’m excited to see who they end up hiring.” This indicates that while Frye’s departure has had an impact, Cantwell remains open to the Buckeyes’ future plans.

Similarly, four-star IOL Maxwell Riley maintained a neutral stance, expressing happiness for Frye, saying, “I’m happy for him and his family. Definitely going to hear out whoever they hire.” It looks like he is keeping an open mind about the potential new hire. Despite weighing his options between Ohio State and Clemson, Riley’s composed reaction suggests that the coaching changes have not completely deterred him from considering Ohio State.

However, despite their assurance, it’s evident that Ryan Day has suffered a significant loss with Frye’s departure, as the offensive success of the Buckeyes heavily relied on him. Day, who has proven himself as an offensive genius throughout his career, with stints as an O-line coach at Temple, Boston College, and even as an OC under Chip Kelly, saw his arrival in Columbus in 2022 as a turning point for his own trajectory and the Buckeyes’ program as a whole.

Justin Frye’s exits create a mess around Ryan Day’s future move

At present, Ohio State’s recruiting is facing a pivotal moment due to Maxwell Riley’s commitment being uncertain following Justin Frye’s unexpected departure to the Arizona Cardinals. This unexpected move has introduced more uncertainty to an already tense situation, particularly with top 2026 prospect Jackson Cantwell also being affected.

However, it is important to acknowledge that Ryan Day’s 2025 recruiting class continues to shine. Plus, 247Sports ranks this class No. 5 nationally; it includes 26 committed players, among them three 5-star athletes ready to help the Buckeyes win another championship. Despite the uncertainty surrounding Justin Frye’s departure, Ohio State’s 2025 class demonstrates the program’s ability to attract top-tier talent and maintain its status as a dominant force in college football.

But things might not be as straight as they look. Buckeye fans aren’t mincing words. They’re seriously questioning the future, and not just of the program, but of some key recruits too. One fan hit the nail on the head: “Pretty telling that there’s only two responses.” That silence from recruits? Loud and clear. The comments section of On3 is buzzing, with many doubting the recruits’ connection with Frye, saying “No recruit had a strong enough relationship with Frye for that to be a deciding factor.” This suggests Frye’s departure might not be the real problem; everyone’s waiting to see what Day does next.

Still, you can’t ignore the impact of Frye or Knowles leaving; it will affect the recruits’ decisions. Right now, it’s crunch time for the Buckeyes. If they can’t regroup, they could be facing some serious, maybe even insurmountable, problems down the road.