Presser Bullets: Ryan Day Says Ohio State QB Devin Brown Has Prepared At A "High Level" for the Cotton Bowl, Marvin Harrison Jr. Wants to Be the "Best Receiver to Ever Play the Game"

Day said that quarterback Devin Brown has prepared at a "high level" getting ready to make his first start in the Cotton Bowl but didn't have any updates on who will or won't play for the Buckeyes. Day also recalled to the media how Marvin Harrison Jr. has told him he wants to be the "best receiver to ever play the game."

Drinkwitz dove into the stories of Luther Burden III and Brady Cook as in-state stars who have been game-changers for the Tigers and said that the expanded playoff won't change the impact of regular-season games.

• The press conference began with opening statements. Drinkwitz said that the Cotton Bowl has been "unbelievable" as a host and thanked the staff. "Our focus (now) needs to increase on the game. ... To have 34 days off and play is a real challenge." 
• Drinkwitz on Ohio State: "Obviously, we've got an incredible opponent ... probably the most explosive team we've played offensively, defensively their front six is as tough and strong as anyone in the country."
• Day also thanked the Cotton Bowl for its hospitality and expressed confidence in Ohio State's practice in ramping up to the game. "Being here for Christmas is a different experience. Our guys have had a great time but also a great week of practice."
• Day and Drinkwitz have agreed to use traditional signals rather than the newly-allowed in-helmet communication to call plays. "We both agree that down the road it makes a lot of sense, but with everything going on right now ... it's something we want a full spring and a full camp to work through."
• While there will be more margin for error to make the playoffs, Drinkwitz doesn't agree that every game won't be extremely important in the regular season. "I don't know what world you're living in. In college football, every game is everything. ... I don't think you'll sense anything really different."
• Day added that the first-round bye and playing your best football down the stretch will be more reasons that each game will carry the same weight as before.
• On how the season has prepared Brown for Friday: "Devin has always had it in his mind that he wants to get on the field. ... He was right there with Kyle (McCord) in the preseason. ... Now he gets an opportunity to play a whole game. He's prepared at a high level."
• Drinkwitz said that the Cotton Bowl will be a full-circle moment for his quarterback and Missouri native Brady Cook.
• Day didn't have any updates on who will be available for the Cotton Bowl. "Those are decisions that the players make, they and their families." 
• Day on Marvin Harrison Jr.: "Marv's been a pro ever since he stepped in our building. ... But Marvin's his own man. He's got big shoes to fill, his dad is a big name. ... Everything about him has been a pro. There's been times after games, I'll come back to the facility ... he's spending hours catching balls. ... He said, 'I want to be the best receiver to ever play the game.'"
• Day referred to Gene Smith as "one of the best ADs of all time." "I've said publicly before, what he's meant to so many people ... it's a tremendous job and he's done it with grace and success on and off the field. ... The reason you become a head coach, to become an AD is to have an impact on people, and he's done that."
• Drinkwitz said that star wide receiver Luther Burden III, a five-star recruit who stayed home to play at Missouri, sets an example of how others can make their name staying in-state. "I can't say enough about the maturity and growth that he's made off the field."
• Drinkwitz on what he likes about the Cotton Bowl: "It's been a fun way to finish off the year. ... Something they'll always remember and be able to share. I think it was a great ending to a great season."
• The offensive line has found an identity in the run game, Day said, and that improvement will be important to show against Missouri. "This game is like any other game, it's going to be won up front. But I feel like the last third of the year we started to pick it up in that area."
• Drinkwitz and Day agreed that it's been a struggle to deal with a hectic final month of the calendar that holds bowl preparations, Early Signing Day and the first transfer portal window. "December's not working," Day said. Drinkwitz likened the chaos to a bicycle tire with the center taken out of the wheel.
• Day reflected on the 2021 Rose Bowl and how it built momentum for the futures of Emeka Egbuka and Harrison and said that there could be similar breakout performances in the Cotton Bowl. "We want to win the game, that's the No. 1 thing. ... But there are going to be some opportunities for guys to take on new roles in this game."
• On how much Brown's performance Friday will determine the makeup of next year's quarterback room: "Everybody in this game has an opportunity to build some momentum for next year. ... Once the season is over, we'll kind of figure out where we are with everything. But as of right now, he's our quarterback."
• Drinkwitz called Day's streak of CFP appearances and New Year's Six bowls "one of the most impressive things I've ever heard." "I have a tremendous amount of respect for Ryan Day and what he's done. ... For him to be able to sustain excellence ... it's not an easy thing to do."
• Drinkwitz feels that decisions made across all athletic endeavors by the NCAA have hurt athletes outside of football. "We're never going to be able to sit in a room as an NCAA and make decisions that are beneficial for all sports. ... At some point, we're going to have to make decisions that are just about football."
• Preparing for Brown has been a challenge, Drinkwitz said. "We pulled every one of his plays and that was probably a mistake because it showed the diversity of things he can do. ... You can tell that he's very good as far as leadership."