Football is back at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
Ohio State returned to the field to gear up for the forthcoming 2022 season on Thursday, beginning a slate of 25 practice sessions that will take place between now and the Buckeyes' season opener against Notre Dame at Ohio Stadium on Sept. 3.
Following practice, Buckeye head coach Ryan Day addressed media members to discuss the latest happenings on his roster and what he saw from the group on the first day of preseason camp.
For a list of everything Day talked about at the podium in the team room, here's a bullet-point breakdown below.
Ryan Day
- Day says "toughness, discipline and skill" are the "three areas we're kind of focused on" in the preseason.
- "The art of college coaching" is showcasing the skill set of one's team and having enough balance to be successful.
- On Jake Seibert playing cornerback, Day says he played some WR and CB in high school and wanted to bring some other value to the team given the other kickers on the roster.
- "Everyone was jacked up today, flying around" in practice. But Day says maintaining "competitive stamina" is one of the main talking points for the Buckeyes this year.
- On the battle between the offense and defense in practice, Day says "scheme is very important but effort and pad level and toughness" may be even more so.
- "You have high hopes for everybody" when preseason camp starts. Day says he wasn't necessarily more excited to see one position group than another.
- On the tight ends, Day says the group "has a chance to have some good depth right there." Day says "it'll be a really important three weeks there."
- On C.J. Hicks, Day says "it almost looks like he's one of the guys that's been around for a while ... you don't think of him as a freshman anymore. At least we don't."
- Day says he's told Miyan Williams and Evan Pryor to make their reps count in the preseason and to "let their reps speak for you."
- On freshmen OL Tegra Tshabola and Carson Hinzman, Day says positionally, Justin Frye is going to start them at tackle and then go from there. Day says when the time is right to move them inside, the time will be right.
- On Kyle McCord and Devin Brown: "You've gotta develop those guys. They're gonna get plenty of reps. They're gonna get reps with the ones, they're gonna get reps with the twos."
- "Our offense hasn't done anything. We gotta go prove ourselves. ... That doesn't just happen." However, Day says "if we can play complementary football this year, that gives us the chance to win our first game."
- Day says Jim Knowles has been impressed with the extra work done by personnel on the defense.
- "The good news is, a lot of our younger guys have a lot of experience, so that's exciting," Day says he can't get too carried away with expectations heading into the season.
- Day says by next Saturday, he'll have a good idea of where the team has grown since the spring.
- Ohio State is still waiting on an answer about USC transfer kicker Parker Lewis.
- Day on the wide receiver room: "Julian Fleming had the best offseason he's had to this point. He was an iron Buckeye, he was most improved." Day mentions Egbuka and Kamryn Babb among other wideouts who have stood out in summer workouts.
- Day says Jordan Hancock and Kye Stokes are going to play for the Buckeyes this season, and are important for depth in the defensive backfield.
- Day on the first day of fall camp: "It's the first step in a long, long journey."
- Day says Ohio State's players have both "stars" and "scars" from winning and losing games last year. On the Notre Dame game: "It certainly isn't gonna overwhelm anybody."
- On Tyleik Williams, Day says he changed his body over the offseason and "flashes" for the Buckeyes. Day wants to see him "take the next step" over the next week.
- "I think the whole defensive line unit has a lot of talent and great depth." Day says players have to step up and be tough and accountable. "I'm hoping there's probably four or five in that defensive tackle room" that could play important roles.
- Moving into the hotel for camp allows the Buckeyes to not be distracted as camp begins, Day says.
- On Kam Babb, Day says he's "100 percent" healthy.
