College football is spreading its footprint but is still an echo chamber for the most part. An opinion can quickly reverberate across all corners. One such opinion, perhaps fallacious and smeared with disregard, is doing rounds on the airwaves yet again. It’s the notion that Ryan Day’s Buckeyes bought their way to a national championship. Look, OSU isn’t the most beloved school in the country for those of a neutral persuasion. They revel in making enemies and then taking them down on the gridiron. It’s also true that Ohio State has assembled the most expensive roster in the history of the sport. It’s faithfully alleged that this Buckeyes unit costs $20 million in NIL money. But there’s more than meets the eye. One unsung hero behind this blueblood’s success needs his flowers.

Money doesn’t buy success. As cliche as that sounds, it rings true- especially in the sports realm. Sure, it helps facilitate it. But you still need acumen and skill to know where to invest and into whom. As big a pool of NIL funds and resources Ohio State has, it’s not imperishable. But more importantly, they aren’t the only ones loaded with cash. Yet, they’ve managed to conjure the best roster across the country. How?

That scarlet and grey jersey is a recruiting magnet, but it’s perhaps superseded in power by their long-term GM of Player Personnel, Mark Pantoni. CFB’s most revered recruitment guru is preaching to the choir. About how Ryan Day’s achievement ultimately boils down to the work Mark Pantoni is doing from the shadows. Away from outside scrutiny. But also away from the plaudits for bringing hardware back to Columbus after a decade. Ironically, Pantone had his fingerprints all over that 2014 Natty, too. 

Steve Wiltfong voiced the impact Pantoni has on the Buckeyes’ recruitment over the On3 YouTube channel. “Mark Pantoni is one of the godfathers of off-field recruiting personnel. He’s as valuable to any football staff as there is in the country,” he remarked. Pantoni came over to Columbus alongside Urban Meyer in December 2011. In fact, he was the 2nd ever hire in the Meyer era. He was previously with Florida. “[Pantoni is] in every conversation. He’s who Ryan Day leans on for any kind of counsel for how they’re going to handle their recruiting department and NIL department…he’s the industry standard.” Steve Wiltfong continued.

You don’t need to physically take to the gridiron to have an impact on football. The front office can make or break a program. Someone like Pantoni actually alters the entire trajectory of a school with their decision-making. They’ve got the keys to the operation, and the one in Columbus is as good as any. Now there’s even evidence of them being the best recruiters and developers of talent across CFB. Ryan Day and Mark Pantoni’s efforts have garnered recognition from the NFL. To sweeten the deal, they get to knock nemesis Michigan off their perch. Who were bestowed this honor previously.

Ryan Day and Mark Pantoni’s labor bears fruit on the NFL front at Michigan’s expense

After the Wolverines won the National Championship under Jim Harbaugh, the prospective NFL players were rewarded for their triumph. Michigan saw the highest number of invitees to the Draft Combine. 14 players made the trip to partake in the prognosis, hoping to boost their chances of being drafted. This was a statement for Michigan, a line in the sand. Alabama had been dominating the NFL conveyor belt for years under Saban. This signaled a potential power shift between the bluebloods. As well as a huge thumbs up to the recruiting and player development in Ann Arbor. Now, the baton has been passed over from coach Harbaugh to coach Day. Alongside, of course, Mark Pantonu.

Ohio State has one-upped Michigan with 15 representatives in Indy. If you needed reassurance that the power dynamic is shifting towards Columbus, Bama, and Michigan didn’t make the top 7 schools’ list announced by the NFL on IG. How the mighty have fallen, eh? The Buckeyes faithful won’t feel any inkling of sorrow, though. The rest of the list included Georgia and Texas, tied at 14 for joint 2nd place. Followed by Oregon with 12 and Ole Miss/South Carolina with 11, respectively. 

Ohio State’s season ended with a “happily ever after.” However, at one point, it seemed like the clock would strike midnight before their fairytale accomplishment. In the grand scheme of things, that loss to Michigan was perhaps what instigated a fire under the belly of the Buckeyes and propelled them to a Natty. It was a necessary evil. Like winding a toy car back before it can speed forward. The 2023 champs spurred on their biggest rivals to become 2024 champs. Turns out the Buckeyes snatched more than just hardware from their biggest rivals. They snatched the status quo in the eyes of the NFL. All of this ties into Mark Pantoni. The Buckeyes faithful and Ryan Day will forever be indebted to his contributions.