Julian Sayin will be leading a national championship-winning offense. The 2024 roster reportedly cost around $20 million in NIL, according to AD Ross Bjork. However, its offensive linemen took some serious hits and showed up despite being a battered department of the team. As Ryan Day enters 2025, riding on the success of the past year, he’s looking to make some additions to better aid his star QB. Moreover, Day might have more to celebrate amidst the ongoing spring portal.
In the Oregon game, which OSU lost, star OL Josh Simmons was ruled out for the rest of the season with an injury. His stand-in, Zen Michalski, also went down with a season-ending injury of his own later on. Seth McLaughlin also suffered an injury during practice, for which Carson Hinzman stepped up. In the Michigan game, Austin Sierevald stepped in after not being able to play previously in the season. That game showed how lackluster the O-line was, allowing 13 quarterback pressures and 4 tackles for loss. This season, how will Ryan Day look to add more protection for Sayin?
This time, Ryan Day has been actively looking to build the offensive tackle depth chart in the portal. Standing at No. 37 according to 247Sports in the Transfer Portal Ranking list, Day has already acquired 2 such talents. They are 4-star prospects Phillip Daniels (Minnesota) and Ethan Onianwa (Rice). Now, Day could be looking at making another addition, according to On3. Day has appeared in Sam Houston State’s Orion Irving’s radar. The young talent is entering his redshirt sophomore year, and is now looking for better opportunities.
Sam Houston State offensive tackle Orion Irving is entering the transfer portal.
A 2023 Conference USA All-Freshman Team selection. https://t.co/wMrfFrcNOy pic.twitter.com/aoqLonGr8u
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) April 16, 2025
Irving has great physical qualities for the position, standing at 6’6″ and 310 lbs. As a redshirt freshman in 2023, he started in the last five games for Sam Houston State as a right tackle. His performance got him into the Conference USA All-Freshmen team. 2024 saw limited play from Irving, coming back from an injury. That season, however, he played as a left tackle. His ability to play both these positions is what makes him a great opportunity for Day. He’s looking for 2 more offensive linemen, which is why he entered the mix for Irving.
As transfer portals and recruiting continue to change the shape of CFB roster management, Ryan Day has scored a particular victory where other teams have lost.
Ryan Day is seeing far less transfer portal action than other HCs
We’re only 3 days into the spring portal, and it’s already teeming with buzz and chatter of every kind. Surprisingly, the Ohio State HC can claim the feat of not being involved in it. Their star players are still in Columbus, and no one has yet expressed any interest in departing. Ryan Day has locked down his team, and that’s a rarity to see in the volatile environment of player recruitment.
Kris Drew of Menace 2 Sports explained the currently chill mindset at camp. “Ohio State hasn’t had any transfers. They have not had any big time. The only people who have transferred have been like the fourth, fifth, and sixth guys down the depth chart. Like long guys that you don’t care about losing.” All the transfer business is happening with less important players. He’s looking to build the depth that would come into play during emergency situations.
The transfer portal is far more competitive than it may appear, with the financial factor alone causing significant changes for teams. “They (Ohio State) had some young players make some big plays, and then nobody transferred… I don’t know what it means. To me, it’s that Ryan Day has the culture locked down,” said Drew. That’s a brilliant improvement since the last portal cycle, where Day lost Will Howard, Jack Sawyer, J.T. Tuimoloau, and others.
Not having players leaving for the portal is a huge win for CFB head coaches today. Not only does Day have a new addition to his team, but he can also find solace in the fact that the team remains largely intact. He’ll never say no to adding more talent down the charts because opportunity for their need on the field can strike anytime.
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