Spring practice is set to start later than usual at Ohio State this year after the Buckeyes played 16 games this past season.
While spring practice at Ohio State typically begins the first week of March, Ryan Day told Joel Klatt in an interview published Monday morning that spring practice would start the second-to-last week of March this year.
“Spring ball’s going to be different,” Day said. “We just got done playing two weeks ago, and spring ball starts the second-to-last week of March. But we also have young guys who need the work. So it's going to be unique this year.”
An Ohio State spokesperson said spring practice will start after Ohio State students return from spring break on March 17, though the first day of practice has not yet been confirmed. In past years, Ohio State has held two or three practices during the week before spring break, then continued the rest of its spring practice schedule after spring break.
Ohio State also has not yet made a final decision on whether it will hold a traditional spring game this season or when the final day of practice will be. The spring game has typically been held on the second Saturday in April, which would be April 12 this year, but the later start to the spring football schedule could potentially mean ending spring practices a week or two later.
While Ohio State will soon begin winter workouts in preparation for spring practice and the 2025 season, Day said everyone has needed some time to catch their breath after completing their national championship run two weeks ago. That certainly includes Day, who spent last week traveling around the country recruiting and making various media appearances, all the while starting a search for three new assistant coaches following the departures of offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and offensive line coach Justin Frye.
Once the Buckeyes get back on the field, though, their focus will be on the present and future as they strive to defend their national championship.
“We gotta recharge a little bit, but that's all right,” Day said. “And once you recharge, then it's all systems go, and then you move forward. And we got a really good group of guys coming back. I mean, really good group of guys coming back. It's exciting.”
