*From the glory of hoisting a national championship trophy to the gut-wrenching grind of offseason chaos, Ryan Day’s Ohio State Buckeyes are riding a rollercoaster—and not the fun kind. The echoes of confetti falling in celebration have barely faded, yet Columbus is already in crisis mode. Buckeye Nation might’ve thought a title run would solidify the dynasty, but instead, it’s unraveling faster than a cheap sweater in a windstorm. Coaching departures, roster holes, and a quarterback conundrum are piling up, while Texas lurks in the shadows, ready to poach a vital piece of OSU’s coaching staff. This isn’t just an offseason—it’s a full-blown meltdown in the making.
The Aftermath of Glory: Ryan Day’s Offseason Headache Begins
Sure, winning a national championship should feel like a launchpad to future success, but for Ryan Day, it’s starting to look more like quicksand. The Buckeyes are staring down an offseason filled with more questions than answers. Key players have bolted for the NFL, assistant coaches are jumping ship, and the transfer portal has turned into a revolving door of “thanks for the memories” exits.
National analyst David Pollack didn’t sugarcoat it either. In fact, he practically rang the alarm bells with his blunt assessment:
“Ohio State is losing some dudes. Guys who’ve been the backbone of this team—straight-up dogs. Sure, they’ve got talent coming in, but the roster’s thinner than it’s been in years. And Julian Sayin? That situation is getting dicey.”
And he’s not wrong. While Ohio State has built a reputation for reloading rather than rebuilding, this offseason feels different. It’s not just about replacing players—it’s about filling gaping holes in leadership, experience, and, frankly, stability.
Julian Sayin: The Crown Jewel or the Breaking Point?
If Ryan Day’s roster is a ship, Julian Sayin was supposed to be the shiny new anchor. The former Alabama commit, ranked as the No. 3 quarterback in the class of 2024, was seen as the heir apparent—the guy to step in after Will Howard and keep the Buckeyes’ offensive engine roaring.
But here’s the kicker: Sayin’s commitment feels shakier than a Jenga tower in an earthquake. After Nick Saban’s shocking retirement, Sayin hit the portal like a heat-seeking missile, eventually landing at Ohio State with high hopes and even higher expectations. Day himself reportedly told Sayin to “study the greats” and prepare to lead like a national champion.
However, whispers are growing louder that the California kid might be having second thoughts. And if Sayin decides to bail? It could send shockwaves through Columbus, leaving the Buckeyes scrambling for a quarterback solution just when they thought they had their guy.
A Roster in Ruins: Departures Hit Hard and Fast
While the Sayin saga unfolds, Ryan Day’s roster is bleeding talent at an alarming rate. The Buckeyes aren’t just losing players—they’re losing game-changers.
Gone are sack monsters JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer, who terrorized opposing quarterbacks like it was their part-time job. Offensive weapons? Also gone. Emeka Egbuka, the program’s all-time receiving leader, is NFL-bound, alongside star running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. And let’s not forget Will Howard, whose quarterbacking wizardry helped OSU capture that elusive national title.
Pollack summed it up with brutal honesty:
“Egbuka was an animal. Henderson? A beast. Judkins? A monster. And now? They’re all gone. Ohio State’s got talent, sure, but you don’t just replace those dudes overnight.”
Even the offensive line, once a fortress led by veteran linemen, now resembles Swiss cheese—full of holes and question marks.
Coaching Carousel: Texas Comes Knocking for OSU’s Staff
As if losing star players wasn’t enough, Ryan Day’s coaching staff is also under siege. Ohio State has become a hotbed of coaching turnover, with key figures jumping ship faster than rats fleeing a sinking vessel.
First, offensive mastermind Chip Kelly dipped after just one season, lured away by the bright lights and bigger paycheck with the Las Vegas Raiders. Then, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles packed his bags for Penn State, reportedly tired of Day’s micromanagement on the defensive side.
Now, Texas is circling like a vulture, eyeing another prized piece of OSU’s coaching puzzle: graduate assistant LaAllan Clark. Clark isn’t just another name on the staff—he’s a rising star with a résumé that includes working with NFL pass-rushing legends like Ed Oliver, Jeffrey Simmons, and Danielle Hunter.
The Longhorns are reportedly pulling out all the stops to lure Clark to Austin, hinting at a bigger role (and likely a bigger paycheck) within their program. If they succeed, it’ll be another gut punch for Ohio State—and more fuel for David Pollack’s prediction that Texas, not OSU, will be the team to beat in 2025.
The Buckeye Balancing Act: Can Ryan Day Steady the Ship?
So, where does that leave Ryan Day? On the surface, he’s still the coach who delivered a national championship. But dig a little deeper, and it’s clear he’s standing on shaky ground.
The transfer portal is unpredictable. The coaching carousel is ruthless. The expectations in Columbus? Sky-high.
Day’s next moves will define his legacy. Can he keep Julian Sayin committed? Can he plug the roster holes with fresh talent and transfers? Can he rebuild a coaching staff that’s been picked apart like Thanksgiving leftovers?
One thing’s for sure—the honeymoon is over. Buckeye fans are expecting answers. And fast.
Because in college football, you’re only as good as your last win. And for Ryan Day, the clock is ticking.
Is this the beginning of the end for Ohio State’s dominance—or just another chapter in their story of resilience? Buckeye Nation is about to find out.
