College football season always brings out plenty of prognosticators.
Count Ohio State football coach Ryan Day among them. Albeit, a good portion of fans try their hand at predicting winners and losers on the football field from a gambling perspective. Day tries to forecast a much cloudier avenue: Finding high school players on the recruiting trail that are going to someday develop into leaders and the heartbeat of a program.
“I say that a lot of times in recruiting, I project it. I’ll say ‘I can see you being a captain here,’” Day said Monday. “There’s certain guys. I won’t say their names right now because that’s probably not appropriate, but I definitely can think of five right now where I look at them and go yeah, you’re going to be a captain here. Whether they do or not, a lot of things have to fall into place, but you see those traits early on.”
Day didn’t go into specifics on whether he was referring to athletes already on the team or players that have committed in the class of 2022 (who he wouldn’t be able to comment on anyway until they sign in December). It's almost a certainty Kourt Williams is one of them considering Day's comments about him in December of 2019. But he did outline what qualities he looks for when looking for a future captain-type of player.
“I think the first thing is a mature approach,” Day said. “Some guys who understand what’s important, who have an old soul. They have things in order, they prioritize things ... They’re not solely focused on the social aspects of things. They’re focused on academics and they’re focused on football and their family. Once you set that standard, and you can communicate that and bring guys with you, those are the traits you see in leaders.”
When those players are identified, Day hopes to land a commitment from them early. Especially because it sets the tone for the remainder of that particular class and makes recruiting other premier targets in the cycle easier when a peer is advocating for your school instead of just a coach employed by the university. While Day couldn’t mention him by name, 2022 four-star linebacker C.J. Hicks has taken that mantle on for Ohio State’s current recruiting class. One glance at his Twitter feed will tell you all you need to know about how he earned the title of “Captain Buckeye.”
“I think it’s huge,” Day said of getting those types of players in the fold early. “That’s another conversation. When you commit early, like Jack (Sawyer) did, like some of our guys have, and then have leadership in the recruiting group where you can recruit others, that’s really, really important.”
Lauck hopes for OSU offer
At the end of May, rising 2023 offensive lineman Trevor Lauck started talking with Ohio State weekly. About two weeks later, Lauck attended a camp in Columbus and left a favorable impression on OSU coaches.
Although he has yet to to pick up an offer from the Buckeyes, Lauck was invited back to Columbus in July for the Buckeye Bash & BBQ, which he said was enjoyable and productive.
Columbus, OH
— Trevor Lauck (@TrevorLauck) July 29, 2021
“I talked to coach (Kevin) Wilson, he said to keep in touch,” Lauck said. “Coach (Greg) Studrawa said they’re really interested in me and look forward to coming to one of my games and watching my junior season to see how it progresses.”
While Lauck doesn’t yet have a composite ranking, 247Sports has given the Indianapolis resident a three-star rating as the 19th-best tackle in the class.
“I think they think I fit their play style,” Lauck said of conversations with Studrawa and Wilson. “Obviously I’m big, but I think I’m quick for my size.”
After two visits this summer, the 6-foot-6, 275-pound Lauck told Eleven Warriors he’s been invited back to attend OSU’s home opener against Oregon in September.
“I really want to do that,” Lauck said. “I’ve never been to an Ohio State football game. I’m really looking forward to that atmosphere for sure.”
Lauck said OSU coaches told him they would attend one of his games at Roncalli High School (Indianapolis) and if they made an offer it would likely be toward the end of his junior year.
Growing up, Lauck rooted for two teams: Indiana and Notre Dame. He cheered for the Hoosiers because it was his mother’s alma mater, while his grandfather played football at Notre Dame. He also visited both of those schools this summer and holds an offer from the Hoosiers.
NIL craziness continues
Some of you are sick and tired of hearing about name, image and likeness related news. Others can’t get enough. Either way, I get it, believe it or not.
But after Jack Sawyer received a Chevy Silverado in an endorsement deal with Mark Wahlberg Chevrolet and Quinn Ewers confirmed Pete Thamel’s report in July that the hot-shot quarterback has an endorsement deal with Holy Kombucha, it’s apparent it’s not going away anytime soon.
BIG thanks to @MarkWahlberg and the people @WahlbergChevy for the awesome @Chevrolet Silverado! Looking forward to a great season. GO BUCKS! pic.twitter.com/N6AQW03pmG
— Jack Sawyer (@jacksawyer40) August 10, 2021
I may be leaving Texas soon to take it to the next level but I made sure to take the best Texas drink company with me. I am pumped to be representing Holy Beverages @holykombucha for many years ahead so that they will always make sure my fridge is loaded with Holy Tepache pic.twitter.com/ZWmDoZlz6h
— Quinn Ewers (@QuinnEwers) August 9, 2021
I’ll admit, when I first realized NIL legalization was going to happen this summer, I knew it would be a big storyline, but I’m not sure I realized it would take off like this. I can remember a time not too long ago Terrelle Pryor was essentially the story of college football – not in a good way – at one point because he dared to trade memorabilia for tattoos. Now an Ohio State pass-rusher is openly displaying his truck on social media and it's perfectly acceptable. It’s not all roses and sunshine; as a Silverado truck driver myself, paying registration taxes on those isn’t fun.
Not that athletes finally getting some cash and other benefits after the NCAA had been profiting off free labor for years wasn’t a change that was long overdue. But it’s still taking some getting used to when players are being this open about getting gifts which would have set alarm bells off from everyone not even six months ago.
Also, you think things like getting a truck in an endorsement deal and Ewers mania aren’t going to be used in future recruiting pitches? Ohio State certainly isn’t hurting for those right now.
