The Ohio State Buckeyes have kicked off their spring practice, and even with just a few sessions under their belt, there's already a buzz in the air. Coach Ryan Day is focused on getting his squad ready to bounce back after a rough end to the 2025 season, where they stumbled against Indiana and Miami. Despite the shortest offseason following their 2024 championship win, the Buckeyes are back at it with renewed energy.
Day has a whopping 51 new players to integrate into the team, but he's already seeing promising signs, particularly from one group that's undergone significant changes.
Spotlight on the Wide Receivers
Ryan Day recently shared his thoughts on the wide receiver corps during an appearance on the Always College Football Podcast with Greg McElroy. The group, which has a new position coach and experienced a lot of turnover, is catching his eye.
"The addition of some of our guys in the portal, Devin and Kyle, they've already brought maturity and experience to the group. It's been fantastic," Day remarked.
"Then you have Phill Bell and Dez Jones, who've been with us for a couple of years and are ready to step up. Plus, the young talents like Chris Henry, Brock Boyd, and Jerquaden Guilford are incredibly promising.
It's like a three-tiered system, and talent is evident at every level."
Interestingly, Day didn't even mention Jeremiah Smith, widely regarded as the top player in college football. Smith is expected to be the offensive centerpiece once again, and despite losing five receivers from last year, Day believes this could be the deepest lineup he's ever had.
Developing this talented group falls to Cortez Hankton and Arthur Smith. While Jeremiah Smith is already a standout, the rest of the receivers are striving to reach that elite level.
From just a few practices, Day is clearly excited about the potential of his wide receiver room this season. The Buckeyes are gearing up, and if this early promise is any indication, they’re poised for something special.