The first spring after breaking a decade-long championship drought has to feel extra breezy and pleasant. That’s exactly what’s transpiring in Columbus. Ohio State began spring camp later than most programs, owing to the sheer volume of games they played last season. Now that they’re in the thick of things, HC Ryan Day has his antennas on 11. Winning hardware can breed complacency and a general lack of vim. However, that doesn’t appear to be the case with some of the superstars on the Buckeyes. In fact, even a few players on the fringes of the roster are working doubly hard to make sure they’re part of what could snowball into a dynasty. Coach Day shouted out some names that were giving him problems with stacking his depth chart. Certainly a good problem to have, but not an enviable one for a group brimming with talent.

The 15 spring practices are a speedrun for coaches to permeate systemic instructions and tendencies onto their players. Conversely, it’s a chance for the players to impress. Now, if there’s one thing that makes Ryan Day a great coach, it’s his man-management. As such, he’s singled out players that have impressed him most so far in camp during his presser. For one, this motivates those who got named to continue along the same lines. However, it’s also a means to light a fire under those who didn’t make the cut. The array of players ranges from the best player on his side of the football to true freshmen learning on the fly.

Eleven Warriors’ Chase Brown relayed this interesting revelation spawning out of Coach Day’s presser over on X. “Ryan Day named C.J. Hicks, Arvell Reese, Payton Pierce, Riley Pettijohn, TJ Alford, Jermaine Mathews Jr., Jaylen McClain, Malik Hartford, Caleb Downs, James Peoples, CJ Donaldson, Bo Jackson and Sam Williams-Dixon as some of the players who have stood out to him this spring,” he wrote. Right off the bat, Caleb Downs sticks out. The fact that the safety has more gears to go through to the point he’s still standing out to his head coach is quite bonkers. Opposition receivers and quarterbacks wouldn’t like the sound of that. 

Another interesting name there is C.J. Hicks. He’s making a transition from linebacker to defensive end heading into his senior year. Hoping to fill a void now created by the departures of Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau. Ryan Day’s cosign suggests Hicks is tracking well in his progress. Sophomore safety Jaylen McClain is another one whose name will instill some confidence within the Buckeyes faithful.

While 4-star recruit McClain saw minutes during the Natty run as a freshman, he’s hoping to be a more prominent feature this time around. Someone new DC Matt Patricia can lean on in building a formidable tandem with Caleb Downs. The plethora of other names mostly consists of true freshman who’ve got some way to go before now and fall if they want to leave their mark on the ’25 season. Speaking of which, one name that Ryan Day mentioned separately is arguably the player who’s got the most onus on him between spring practice and Week 1. Julian Sayin, the expected successor to Will Howard as QB1.

Ryan Day fuels the prevalent notion that Julian Sayin is QB1-elect

Ryan Day isn’t in an enviable position when it comes to finding the solution to his quarterback conundrum. He’s going from a seasoned vet in Will Howard to a trifecta of inexperienced options in Julian Sayin, Lincoln Kienholz, and Tavien St. Clair. “There’s been really good progress in that room, all three of them,” said Day during the same presser.

“We’re gonna keep coaching them, keep pushing them. I think they have the right attitude. I think they have a growth mindset… They need more reps.” Coach Day proceeded to speak on Julian Sayin individually from a leadership standpoint. Something the player has himself addressed with regard to how he plans to implement things he learned from Howard last season.

“[Sayin is] finding his way…he has credibility that’s building in the locker room,” said Ryan Day. The aforementioned Chase Brown stated, “Day called Sayin a good man, a good teammate and a good player.” Former 5-star Julian Sayin has paid his dues as a backup and is edging toward being announced as the starter.

Coach Day and his Buckeyes host Texas at the Shoe on opening weekend in a rematch of the Cotton Bowl. Having the players ready for this test right out of the gate is imperative. Spring practice going swimmingly would set the tone for their season as defending champs. After losing both his coordinators, Ryan Day has a job on his hands. He’ll hope some of those names that “stood out” to him can help sustain this momentum they’ve got going. Alongside, of course, Julian Sayin seamlessly transitions under center.