The biggest challenge for Ryan Day heading into the 2025 season is rebuilding a roster poised to repeat as national champions. There are big shoes to fill since Will Howard and Jack Sawyer’s departure to the NFL has left a big void in the locker room.
Although Day has hit the transfer portal like never before and managed to recruit top talent from high school to strengthen the depth chart, uncertainty looms around the quarterback position. Who’s next up after Howard remains a big question that is still unanswered.
Greg McElroy Raises Concerns About Ryan Day and Team’s Approach in 2025
Last season turned out to be a terrific one for Day and the entire program. After 10 years, Ohio State brought the national championship back to the university. A feat that seemed doomed after a brutal loss to archrival Michigan Wolverines in the final week of the regular season.
Fans had almost lost their hopes, but the Buckeyes’ comeback was quite powerful. With successive wins, Day earned a College Football Playoff spot and continued his winning streak. Finally, on Jan 20, OSU secured a thumping win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to lift the golden trophy.
While it’s all done and dusted now, OSU is very fragile. According to ESPN’s Greg McElroy, the quarterback position is one of the most challenging.
“The big question about Ohio State this year, though, is the quarterback competition. Isn’t everyone fascinated by this? It’s one of the most high-profile positions in the sport. Starting quarterback of Ohio State.
“They’re going to be scrutinized, they’re going to be evaluated, and they’re probably going to be in the Heisman mix if they come through it on the other side,” McElroy said this week.
McElroy, “The veteran presence of Jack Sawyer, Tyliek Williams, guys that were playing. And as far as depth is concerned, you lose a lot of really quality pieces on the defensive side. I mean Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau all by themselves accounted for 115 last year.”
“So that’s not going to be easily replicated. And can Kenyatta Jackson potentially do that? Sure. Will they be fine off the ball with Sonny styles and with Caleb downs? Yes, I’m not concerned about those positions whatsoever, but I am a little concerned about replicating the presence of what we saw up front, defensively down the stretch and route to a national championship.”
KEEP READING: ‘On to the Next One’ — Ryan Day Aims To Repeat as National Champions in 2025
Day has Julian Sayin, Lincoln KKienholz, and Tavien St. Clair competing against each other for the starting job. Expectations are sky-high, and replicating last year’s success will be a tough job.
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