Returning from spring break to resume action on the gridiron this week, Ohio State held its third spring practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center Tuesday.
The Buckeyes opened up three periods of practice for members of the media to watch, marking the second open viewing window in the first three practice sessions. Following practice, Ryan Day held a press conference to provide updates on his team's progress, among other things, with next month's spring game approaching on April 16.
For a rundown of everything Day talked about Tuesday, check out the bullet points below.
Ryan Day
- On Harry Miller and the culture surrounding mental health at Ohio State: "The thing that makes me the most proud is the work that Harry did. He certainly isn't where he is right now a year ago. He did the work, we just put the structure together. ... I'm proud of what he's done and he's got a lot to offer."
- On the Leo position in the Buckeye defense, Day says Ohio State "hasn't dove into that that much" just yet. Day says "that package has been pretty dynamic" at Oklahoma State and Duke under Jim Knowles.
- Day says the Buckeyes are still figuring out if Miller will be around the team moving forward.
- Day on Miller: "You think everything's just real easy. It's not that way, there's a lot that comes with that. ... You have to have the courage to say something, but you gotta go do the work."
- Day says C.J. Stroud and Cardale Jones will throw to Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave at Ohio State's pro day Wednesday.
- On Miller and Buckeye players receiving death threats, Day says "we would handle that very seriously. ... It's a lot harder for the younger generation who's really found their identity on their phones to get on there and see those things."
- "There's a lot to gain" from social media platforms for players, but the other part of it is the criticism that they can receive, Day says.
- On Devin Brown, Day says "he's just getting his feet wet, he's learning." Day says Stroud, Brown and Kyle McCord all "seem to be gelling" as they get reps.
- "We have to have tight ends, for sure." Day says the Buckeyes always want to have one tight end in the game, if not two. Day says playing without a tight end "limits what you can do" when running the ball.
- On the offensive line, Days says Justin Frye is a "tremendous teacher and technician." Day says the offensive line is in "a decent place." Day says "there's some guys in there that could challenge for starting positions, so that will be exciting to watch."
- On Paris Johnson moving back to tackle, Day says "the bigger challenge was him moving to guard" last season.
- Day says with Jim Knowles, every day isn't about "trying to win the drill." Instead, it's about learning and teaching.
- Day says players like Taron Vincent, Jerron Cage and Tyler Friday give the Buckeye defensive line a veteran presence, and says that group should be "the strength of our defense" in 2022.
- On the safety position, Day says the coaching staff is "still trying to figure out how guys fit exactly" in the defensive backfield.
- On concussion protocol at Ohio State, Day says he just goes off of what the medical staff and trainers tell him, because it is "way over my head."
- On dealing with the Miller situation, Day says compartmentalizing is something any coach has to be able to handle because of all the players on the team and the amount of situations he has to handle. "If there weren't problems, we wouldn't have jobs."
- Day says he's proud that Miller felt comfortable enough to come into his office to talk about his mental health issues, and that hopefully his story helps other people.
- Day says he watched Sonny Styles play in the state basketball championship game, lauds his explosiveness and says he's been a big help in recruiting other players for Ohio State.
- Day says "there's a lot of expectations" on Marvin Harrison Jr. because of his father, but that "he's kind of gonna do his own thing." Day says "his skill and discipline is off the charts."
- On Tyleik Williams and Buckeye defensive tackles, Day says "the great ones, they can go for extended periods of time. If you can't, we'll get you out."
