By Following Ohio State national championship victory over Notre Dame on Monday, January 20, celebrations have been in full swing for the Buckeyes. However, the offseason has brought notable departures, with several players declaring for the NFL Draft or entering the transfer portal. One of the biggest surprises was defensive coordinator Jim Knowles leaving Columbus to take the same position at Penn State.
Despite these changes, Ohio State future remains promising, particularly with five-star quarterback Julian Sayin and standout wide receiver Jeremiah Smith leading the charge.
Ryan Day’s Future at Ohio State
After facing scrutiny following the November 30 loss to Michigan, head coach Ryan Day silenced critics by leading Ohio State to a national championship. However, speculation about Day potentially returning to the NFL has persisted.
During an appearance on The Steam Room podcast with Ernie Johnson and Charles Barkley, Day addressed the topic directly.
I would never want to say, I would never consider it, because you don’t know how things can change, Day said. I was in the NFL for two years and had a great experience there it’s great league. But right now, the impact we can make on young people is, to me, more impactful in college. That’s why I got into this game, and that’s what I want to do.
Day’s Coaching Journey
Day also referenced Woody Hayes, the last coach to win multiple championships at Ohio State. His coaching career began in college football, where he spent more than a decade as an assistant at New Hampshire, Boston College, Florida, and Temple from 2002 to 2014.
In 2015, he transitioned to the NFL, working as a quarterbacks coach for both the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers before joining Ohio State.
Looking Ahead
Even with key players departing, Ohio State is projected to be a top-2 team next season. While discussions about Day’s potential NFL return may continue, his current focus remains on leading the Buckeyes.
