Returning players, key transfers, and O’Brien hiring kick-start offseason for Ohio State’s Ryan Day

 

 

File: Kansas State quarterback Will Howard looks to throw during the second half of the team’s NCAA college football game against Baylor on November 11, 2023, in Manhattan, Kan. Howard revealed his plan to transfer to Ohio State on Thursday night, Jan. 4, giving the Buckeyes a substitute for Kyle McCord after his own decision to transfer to Syracuse. Howard made the announcement on his social media outlets. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) runs between Missouri defensive back Dreyden Norwood (12) and defensive back Tre’Vez Johnson (4) during the first half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – The weeks after the end of the 2023 season looked potentially devastating for Ohio State coach Ryan Day.

Instead, by the end of January, Day has gained a new offensive coordinator in the seasoned Bill O’Brien and a roster that may put the Buckeyes in better competitive form than last season.

The hiring of O’Brien, the former Alabama offensive coordinator and Houston Texans and Penn State coach, was announced Friday.

With so many players NFL eligible and others following dissatisfied starting quarterback Kyle McCord into the transfer portal, Ohio State seemed to be in for long winter of reconfiguration and rebuilding.

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But a huge exodus did not occur.

In fact, at least a dozen significant contributors eligible for the NFL draft elected to stay in Columbus for another year, and the transfer portal provided the Buckeyes with more than it took away.

The season had clunked to an end with a third consecutive loss to Michigan and a listless showing versus Missouri in the Cotton Bowl with NFL-bound receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. sitting out and McCord having already declared his transfer to Syracuse.

“That’s not acceptable at Ohio State, and we all know that,” Day said after the bowl game loss Dec. 29.

Day went busy, grabbing a top quarterback, running back and center from the portal while losing only one other starter when Julian Fleming — the No. 3 receiver and a Pennsylvania native — transferred to Big Ten foe Penn State.

The exits of Harrison and Fleming were tempered by blue chip wideout Emeka Egbuka’s decision to stay. The NFL prospect had 1,151 receiving yards in 2022 but he was plagued by an ankle issue that curtailed his performance last season.

So there will be one seasoned receiver for whatever emerges from the now crowded pool of quarterbacks that includes transfer Will Howard, who passed for over 5,800 yards and 48 touchdowns in four years at Kansas State.

He’s the early favorite to start in 2024 but not without competition from Devin Brown, whose major chance to tryout for the post was cut short by a first-half ankle injury in the Cotton Bowl. Also in that mix will be sophomore Lincoln Kienholz and renowned QB recruit Air Noland, who is already on school.

“Bottom line — we didn’t reach our goals this year. And that’s everybody,” Day said, refusing to single out the departed McCord, who threw two devastating interceptions in the 30-24 loss to eventual national champion Michigan.

“The quarterback room is one of them,” Day said. “That’s the bottom line. When you look at the entire, we didn’t get our job done.”

No. 1 running back TreVeyon Henderson put off the NFL draft to play at Ohio Stadium another season after injuries hindered his production in the prior two. The signing of 1,000-yard rusher Quinshon Judkins from Ole Miss could give the Buckeyes one of the strongest backfield tandems in college football.

The offensive line, which returns four starters, received much of the responsibility for Ohio State ranking 87th in the nation in running yards (138.8 per game). The Buckeyes will get some aid in new center Seth McLaughlin, who transferred from Alabama.

Top defensive lineman Jack Sawyer, J.T. Tuimoloau and Tyleik Williams all stayed.

The Buckeyes have to replace good starting linebackers Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers but will return three top cornerbacks and two safeties.

Besides O’Brien being added, other coaching changes have been made and more could be coming.

Day sacked safeties coach Perry Eliano and replaced him with Matt Guerrieri from the Indiana staff. Special teams coordinator Parker Fleming also was sacked.

“Everything’s going to get looked at,” Day added. “And if it helps Ohio State go reach our goals and win these games, we’ll make those change