Presser Bullets: Ryan Day Says Jeremiah Smith Setting an Example With His Work Ethic, Brian Hartline Impressed with Quarterbacks’ Day-to-Day Growth

That's what Ryan Day has seen in Jeremiah Smith this offseason as he enters his sophomore year with more hype than perhaps any other player in the country. Smith has been named an Iron Buckeye for the second year in a row.

Day also touched on Austin Siereveld, Logan George, the format of Ohio State's spring game and the "juice" he's felt through four spring practices. Following his time, both of the Buckeyes' coordinators met with the media to update their sides of the ball as they continue settling into their roles.

Matt Patricia beamed about C.J. Hicks and Malik Hartford before diving into more of the reasons he wanted to move back to college coaching. Brian Hartline touched on where his wide receivers room is and the dynamics of working with Ohio State's quarterbacks while installing the offense this spring.

Ryan Day

• On what he's been most pleased with so far this spring practice: "I like the energy early in practice. ... The coaching staff, new faces in there, they've been prepared in practice. ... Overall, just a lot of juice."
• Day said that Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss will participate in Pro Day to help Will Howard.
• Day feels confident that Austin Siereveld can be a starter after being named an Iron Buckeye. "Sometimes you can come in with a different demeanor, a different look in your eye ... so far he shows that."
• On Matt Patricia: "Lot of energy, building relationships right now. Just started, but I think the feedback from the players has been really good. ... We've gotten great feedback from the recruits as well. ... Just diving into some of the different things we can do on defense."
• On Logan George: "We just saw a player who played really hard and really physical and really tough. ... Just felt it was the right fit. ... Did a nice job in the weight room. He's a very serious guy, but he's earned the respect of our team in a very short period of time."
• Day has enjoyed watching his offensive linemen work through four spring practices but says there's still a lot to sort out at offensive tackle. "I like the way that we're working right now. I think there's a good way about (offensive line coach) Tyler (Bowen) and all the guys. ... I feel like they're getting better coming off the field every day."
• Day wants to provide fans with a real spring game experience at the spring showcase. "We want to play a spring game. ... There may be some guys that are held from the spring game, but not many. ... The format of how we do it will probably be similar to what we've done in the past."
• Day is encouraging Brian Hartline to work with the quarterbacks as much as possible while developing his rapport as a new playcaller. "It's been good. The first four days we're just getting used to it, working out the kinks."
• On Jeremiah Smith being named an Iron Buckeye and  "To come back and do it again shows his discipline. ... To me, what is the biggest differentiator for Jeremiah. ... His work ethic sets an example for the other guys. ... That's great leadership right there."
• On Ohio State accepting an invitation to visit the White House: "It's an honor to be invited. ... I remember growing up and watching the national championship teams go to the White House. ... It's a celebration of our team."
• On the viability of rotating offensive linemen: "You need to have depth, you have to. ... We've gotta figure out ways to roll guys at all positions. I don't think there's one position where that's not the case."

Matt Patricia

• Patricia sees an "explosive pop" in both pass rush and the run game from C.J. Hicks on the edge.
• Patricia beamed about Malik Hartford's approach to the game and said he likes that Hartford has the ability to play both deep and close to the line of scrimmage. He added that Hartford has improved his backpedal speed and strength this offseason.
• On his transition to the college level: "I've been a big fan for a long time. ... You're grabbing a lot of really good players out of this school. For me, I'm just excited ... but I've gotta learn. ... Right now I feel like I'm the student, just trying to take in and learn as much as I can, and try to learn the kids."
• On meeting with recruits: "The whole thing has completely changed. There's so much coming at these guys so fast, I kind of feel for them sometimes. ... Learning the kid and what he's been through and his journey is important ... it's just about building relationships right now."
• Patricia said he's also excited to make an impact on young men's lives. "I started off as a college coach, I think that's where people really impacted me as a young man. ... It's Ohio State, this is a top (job). I'm pretty lucky to be here."
• Patricia wants to weaponize Ohio State's depth in the secondary to confuse the pictures for opposing offenses. "I think multiplicity comes in a lot of different ways. ... I do like the flexibility of the nickel and the big nickel position ... the defensive backs here, it's a great room. ... Let's get as many guys as we can out there to play."
• While he's still waiting to see more on the field, Patricia's been impressed with the approach of his players. "As far as the work ethic and the toughness and the mental part of it, it's really impressive."

Brian Hartline

• Hartline isn't focused on the problems Max Klare can create for defenses just yet, but he's happy to see the transfer continue developing. "I think the tight end position is a great place to cause mismatches. ... We're really focused on identifying what guys, maybe, lack and develop in those areas. ... I think he knows what he's good at and he's working on what he can improve upon."
• On the balance between his play calling and wide receiver development room: "I think we have some good, veteran leadership, so the top of the (receivers) room is well-secured. ... I think the combination of getting things going in January and setting the parameters on how we operate ... really allows those first couple of groups to focus on developing. ... Definitely a balancing act, I'm not saying I'm a pro at it yet, but I can feel myself getting pulled one way or the other."
• On where Smith has grown as a leader: "I think he's speaking more in the receiver room. Even just in conversations that we have, just feel more and more intellect and football IQ. ... But definitely a little more outspoken that when he walked in, because when he walked in it was zero."
• "Having multiple guys in that room do multiple things is important. ... It's that room's job to fill that void. It happens here at Ohio State every year, but that's part of the spring, frankly."
• Hartline said Day's perspective on load management for players and still balancing development was a major factor in winning a national championship. "You're always kind of looking around the corner for what could happen. ... That's probably why Coach Ryan Day is the best coach in America. Being able to focus on the now but still prepare for what's ahead."
• On what's stood out about the quarterbacks: "I'm impressed with the way they have grown day-to-day. ... Nowhere near where we want to be, but they've done a good job spending extra time on their own. ... I have felt them more prepared, I have felt them improve on the field. ... I think there's been improvement from a command standpoint."
• On Mylan Graham's growth after not having a spring practice as a summer enrollee in 2024: "This past winter he went through it, and he was frank about how important it was for him this past winter. ... He's just chasing, making that play, he's gonna make that play. Like everyone else, he's chasing that consistency level. ... That's what we're chasing, it's not 'if,' it's, 'how often?'"
• On working with Tyler Bowen: "We're working through run-game install. I think we've done a great job of putting together a great offensive staff and everyone provides great value. ... So whether it be Tyler or anybody on staff, I think we've put together a great offensive staff."
• On the freshmen in Ohio State's wide receiver room: "The young guys will dictate how good the room is, and I think all four of those guys are doing a great job. ... There's a lot of care from those young guys. ... Their finish, their strain, their hard work on the field is showing up."
• Hartline said "clarity of message" to coaching quarterbacks and being on the same page with quarterbacks coach Billy Fessler is key to handling in-helmet communication.
• On what's different now about his preparedness to be a play caller: "Selfishly, individually, maybe grown a little bit. ... I'm really comfortable in my skin. ... I think I've grown individually, frankly, and I'm just excited for the opportunity."