Ryan Day isn’t battling NIL buzz with rules—he’s building something deeper: Culture. At Ohio State, 5-stars like Caleb Downs, Jeremiah Smith, and Carnell Tate shine on the field and cash in off it. That kind of attention could easily derail a team, but not in Columbus. Because in a world full of distractions, Day keeps his roster locked in. However, his secret? A daily grind mentality. Players know they’re growing, every single day—and that mindset doesn’t just keep stars focused, it draws elite transfers in too.
Yes, Ryan Day isn’t just watching the portal—he’s owning it. So far in 2025, the Buckeyes have landed nine transfer prospects, each adding firepower to an already loaded roster. Big names like Beau Atkinson bring heat off the edge. Max Klare adds sure hands at tight end. C.J. Donaldson brings veteran toughness to the backfield, and Ethan Onianwa boosts the O-line with elite protection. So, it’s a bold, calculated haul. And it proves Coach Day is building for titles, not just seasons.
Not only that—Ryan Day just pulled off another under-the-radar portal gem. On April 4, during an episode of Ohio State Football at Buckeye Scoop, Kirk Barton and Nevada Buck broke down the addition of long snapper Jackson Courville. It wasn’t flashy, but it was telling. And Nevada explained, “I think, on the heels of a long snapper commitment and then a kicker commitment, it just shows an increased attention to special teams that Ryan Day previously hasn’t done. And I think it’s kind of an evolution in Ryan’s thinking and [his] approach to the game. And Ryan’s growth as a coach. I mean, before he was primarily an offensive coordinator type of thing, and then he’s kind of stepped back to the CEO position. And now, you kind of see him taking a globalistic approach to what the team needs.”
And for Ryan Day, it’s not just about hype—it’s about results. Look, Caleb Downs is fresh off an All-American year with 82 tackles and two picks. However, Jeremiah Smith? A freshman phenom with 1,315 yards and 15 TDs. These stars could be distracted by the spotlight, but Day keeps them dialed in. “It’s not about defending a title. It’s about chasing the next one,” said the OSU HC. And that mindset led to another sneaky portal win. Jackson Courville, the former Ball State kicker, now heads to Columbus with 2 years left. He nailed 11-of-13 field goals last season and brings proven D1 production to special teams.
However, Nevada put it best—special teams don’t matter… until they do. Moreover, long snappers stay invisible until something goes wrong. And kickers? They’re forgotten until they miss the one that counts. But with Jackson Courville, Ohio State gets a proven leg and a steady presence. “This is a no-brainer,” said Nevada. Because Courville has already shown he can hit with power and precision at the D1 level. Now, with multiple years of eligibility, Ryan Day locks in reliability where it matters most.
Although Nevada didn’t hold back when praising Ohio State’s approach to special teams. He believes this is the smart play—skip the gamble on an unproven high school kicker. “Why not take a kid out of the portal?” he said. However, the reason? With a transfer, you get answers up front—proven ability and mental toughness. “You’ve solved 90% of the issues,” added Nevada. Honestly, he’s all in on the move, even admitting, “We were encouraging them to do it last year.” Now, for Ryan Day, it’s a strategic win in a phase of the game that too often gets overlooked—until it costs you.
Simply put, Ryan Day’s mindset is what sets Ohio State apart—and it’s fueling wins in the transfer portal. Remember, after last season’s title run, Day sat down with team leaders expecting the usual ‘let’s run it back’ energy. Instead, he got something deeper. “They said, ‘We’ve got to rebuild the culture,’” stated Day. Adding, “Not reinforce it—rebuild it. They didn’t want the championship banners up. They said, ‘We didn’t win it. We’re not defending anything. We’re chasing it.’” So, that hunger? That mindset? It’s why elite transfers want in—and why the Buckeyes stay in the hunt for more.
But all of these winning headlines came after Ryan Day dealt with some unfortunate recruiting news.
Ryan Day took a hit on the recruiting trail
This season, over 17 players entered the transfer portal, but Ryan Day and the Buckeyes just took another hit. Well, Elbert Hill, Ohio’s top 2026 prospect, committed to USC’s No. 1-ranked class. Although the Buckeyes were strong contenders for the Akron native, Hill chose Lincoln Riley’s program over Ohio State, Bama, and Oregon. Interestingly, ranked as the nation’s No. 3 cornerback, Hill had offers from nearly every elite program.
However, after his commitment, Hill added, “I’m home, Fight On,” per Hayes Fawcett of On3. Moreover, Hill said, “USC definitely wants me as a corner and definitely in the return game a little bit too. Their vision for me is to play both sides of the field and, by my second year, be able to travel with the best [wide receiver] on the other team.” Now, for Ryan Day and Ohio State, this is a huge setback. To be honest, Hill, the No. 1-ranked recruit in Ohio, was a key target, and his decision to join USC is a tough blow for the Buckeyes.
Even without Hill, OSU’s 2026 recruiting class is still one of the best in the country. We all know the Buckeyes are ranked No. 6, just behind powerhouse programs like Notre Dame, USC, LSU, and more. On top of that, Coach Day’s 2025 class is shaping up even stronger, with 3 five-stars and 18 four-stars already committed.
So, despite the setback, OSU is loaded with future talent.
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