The first practice of Ohio State's fall camp is in the books.
While not completely full-go just yet, the Buckeyes got plenty of work in 7-on-7 and team drills in addition to their individual position work. Afterward, Ryan Day met with the media to discuss the training session and how the team is progressing.
Carnell Tate was among the many players discussed, and Day said there's no limit to what he can become after a standout Thursday. Carson Hinzman missed practice with an illness but will return Friday, while he felt that Will Howard showed more accuracy and "zip" on his throws and the quarterbacks overall showed a better command of the offense.
- Day said the top lesson he's learned from his first few years of coaching is to have the right people in the right positions within the program. "You learn a lot every year. ... Every year you have to rebuild. ... You don't know how strong that foundation is going to be until you get on the field. ... People ask, 'What have you learned the most?' It's getting the right people in the right seats."
- On if he feels "urgency" this year: "Every year there's urgency. If you don't think it's important, try losing a game at Ohio State. I say that all the time."
- The potential increase from 85 to 105 scholarships could allow Ohio State to start adding some more developmental recruits, Day said. "We are planning accordingly, I don't think any decisions have been made. ... I do think we need 120 guys going into fall camp. ... In terms of planning, you're seeing us add some guys in that, in the past, maybe we wouldn't have signed this early."
- On the benefit of NFL playoff experience on Ohio State's coaching staff: "Time will tell. ... There will be a lot of input across the board as we get to the end of the season. ... I do think that experience should help ... but ultimately, football is still football."
- On Tegra Tshabola: "The first thing is, you know what you're doing ... I think he's done that. The second thing is how to do it. ... There's so much that comes with your job, and then can you do it consistently. ... He's changed his body, he's done great this offseason. ... If he can consistently show this preseason that he can do that, then he's going to find himself in games."
- Carson Hinzman's absence from practice was just a brief illness, Day said. "He wasn't here today because of an illness. ... We expect him to be back out tomorrow."
- On Carnell Tate: "The limit for Carnell is through the roof. I don't think there's a limit to what he can be. ... A lot of precision in his route-running. ... He's going to have to be a major contributor for our offense this year."
- The Buckeyes now have the maximum 85 players on scholarship, but Day declined to say who the five new scholarship recipients were. "We've kind of reallocated some of those, we're at the limit now. I'm not going to get into details."
- On why go split-team during practice: "For the first four practice, I think it's a great way to get quarterbacks a lot of reps. ... It's a great way to get everyone moving around. ... First four practices we're not in pads anyway, so it's hard to tell what's going on with the offensive line."
- Day is confident in the team's running back depth if everyone can stay available. "If we can be four-deep there and stay health, I think we'll be great."
- On Jeremiah Smith: "He had a great offseason. He did some things that some freshmen haven't done before in terms of recognition."
- Day said it was "very hard" for Kourt Williams to step away and retire from football, but a lot of teammates are going to miss him.
- On Josh Simmons: "He's positioned himself with a good summer to be the best version of himself. ... We're going to need him to play great. If we're going to reach our goals, we're going to need him to be a major contributor."
- On the team’s focus: "It doesn't matter what's happened in the past. It doesn't matter what someone's opinion is. What do you want to be?"
- Ryan Day enjoyed what he saw from Ohio State's quarterbacks on Thursday, feeling they all made great physical changes in the offseason and had a good command of the offense. He added that in-helmet communication is going to be a major part of coordinating the offense and the quarterbacks' grasp on that was great during the first day of fall camp.
- While Day acknowledged that every team likes where they are entering the fall, "The beginning of the season, everybody's excited. Everybody thinks they had a great summer. ... But you don't know until you get down the road."
- Whether at outside corner or nickel, Day is looking for Jermaine Mathews Jr. to be a contributor this year. "He has quickness, he has twitch, and he's talented. He's got to continue to build discipline in his life."
- On Will Howard changing his body: "He looks different, he's moving different. ... He's got to sustain that this season ... But he's moving well at his size."
- Day is happy Bryson Rodgers returned from the transfer portal and feels he's had a great offseason. "He's going to have every opportunity to be a major contributor on offense."
- Day likes where Howard is at throwing the ball for the first day of fall camp. "I thought there was more zip on the ball and I thought there was more accuracy. ... I thought the ball came out with more pace, he had some good discernment."
