Buckeye football is nigh, and Ryan Day is ready.
The first-year head coach took to 97.1 The Fan's radio waves on Thursday afternoon to offer a quick preview of Ohio State's season opener against Florida Atlantic, talking Justin Fields, some potential breakout freshmen, possible punt returners, and more.
Here's what day had to say.
How do you handle first-year starters?
- "Not to create expectations with yourself about where the game is going to go, because it's usually not going to go that way."
- "All they can really focus on are those fundamentals."
On special teams
- "I think we'll be good on special teams,"
- "We've got a lot of athletes"
- "That is the tip of the spear. You earn your stripes by playing on special teams."
- Day points out that all of the starting specialists are returning as well.
On potential punt returners
- Mentions K.J. Hill, C.J. Saunders, Demario McCall and Garrett Wilson as potential punt returners.
- "It's one thing to do it in practice and another to do it in front of 100,000 with the ball in the air."
- "All of those guys will get a chance."
On J.K. Dobbins and the running backs
- "I'm excited to see how he runs on Saturday."
- "Now he's going to take the lions share of the reps."
- Demario McCall, Master Teague III, Marcus Crowley and Steele Chambers will get reps, but "For the most part, J.K. is going to be the guy."
- Dobbins isn't looking for the home run as much as he was last year, knowing that with increased carries this year, they will come.
- Dobbins is riding a 13-game streak with a reception.
- "Demario, he's a weapon," Day said. "Not as big as J.K., but you saw what we did last year, got him matched up on some linebackers and things. So he can be a really good third-down back for us."
On the offensive line
- Ohio State plans to work in multiple offensive linemen that aren't starting, like Joshua Alabi, Nicholas Petit-Frere and Harry Miller.
- "How much, we'll see how the game goes. But they're going to play."
On recruiting with lots of depth at receiver:
- "We play with a lot of receivers and we play with a lot of depth."
- "There's a lot of passes to go around," Day said. "I don't know if we'll pass it as much as last year, but..."
- "Recruits want to come in here and play receiver."
- Mentions Garrett Wilson and Jameson Williams are already flashing.
On Justin Fields earning the job:
- He earned the job in week three
- Day was impressed with the way he protected the ball and didn't force things.
- "His skill level is off the charts in terms of his size, his speed, his arm strength, his intelligence," Day said. "He's got it all, he just doesn't have experience."
On the bullet package:
- Ryan Day said they have guys with particular skillsets and want to get them on the field.
- "I think that's what the bullet position will provide this year."
- Day said he feels like they have plenty of options and packages to handle any sort of offense.
On how he differs from Urban Meyer:
- "There's no way you replace a legend."
- "We've kept a lot of things he's kept in place, and enhanced those things."
- Day said the obvious change is his coaching staff.
- "In terms of leadership and philosophies, we're very, very much alike."
On coming to Ohio State:
- Day said Ohio State is the one place he wanted to come in college football.
- He mentioned the tradition and his relationship with Urban Meyer.
- Praised the family environment of the program
On this year's freshmen:
- On offense, the two receivers have done a good job. Mentions Garrett Wilson had a head start since he
- "The two running backs – both, they'll play."
- Zach Harrison will also play.
- Day said a lot of the freshmen will contribute on special teams.
- Mentions Craig Young as someone who excels on the kickoff team.
On the cornerbacks:
- "All three are our starting cornerbacks," mentioning Damon Arnette, Jeff Okudah and Shaun Wade.
- "You could argue that all three are potential first-rounders," Day said. "All first round talent, and I'm excited to see them play"
