Ryan Day isn’t exactly embracing the new wrinkle in college football, but he isn’t completely ruling out Ohio State using it either.
The issue surfaced after news broke that former Browns tight end De'Quan Wright entered the transfer portal and will return to LSU for a final year of college, marking the first time in history that a former NFL player is going back to college. A judge’s ruling in some states made that possible, and it has opened the door to a strange new reality for rosters around the country.
Day made clear he doesn’t like it.
"To think that we are in a situation where, this late in the season, the rosters are not locked in is frustrating, at the very least... Do I like anything about it?
Absolutely not. But we have to do what's right for Ohio State.
It's sort of a day-to-day thing right now, and like anything, we're just going to try to adapt."
That’s the key part: Day may hate the idea, but he’s not going to let Ohio State get caught at a disadvantage if other programs start taking advantage of the rule.
Still, it would be a surprise if the Buckeyes actually added anyone this late. They’re already ranked No. 1 in both polls, and the roster in place right now looks more than capable of chasing a national championship without any outside help.
If Ohio State were to make a move, the most logical scenario would involve a former Buckeye who was on the team a year ago. Caden Curry is the only name that really fits that description, since he was a sixth-round pick by the Colts. But he’s reportedly played well in the preseason so far, so he’ll likely stick on the final roster.
Beyond that, there doesn’t appear to be a clean fit.
LSU is the only program so far that has decided to bring back a player who was on an NFL roster, and Lane Kiffin has also shown he’s willing to push right through the weirdness. Day, by contrast, has made it obvious he wants no part of this setup.
For now, the expectation is that the Buckeyes will roll into Week 1 against Ball State with the group they already have.
In Other News...
Ohio State May Have Found Jeremiah Smiths Most Dangerous New Running Mate
Ohio States passing game already has a centerpiece in Jeremiah Smith, but the preseason chatter around the Buckeyes is starting to turn toward who can force defenses to pay for loading up on him. Eleven Warriors ranking of the programs top 20 players for 2026 points to Devin McCuin as the likeliest No. 2 receiver, and the fit is obvious enough to get attention. The UTSA transfer brings proven production, having piled up 152 catches, 1,696 yards and 16 touchdowns in three seasons, along with the speed and playmaking traits that can stretch a defense horizontally and vertically.
What has made McCuin stand out inside the program is not just the track record, but the way Ohio States coaches and teammates have talked about him since he arrived. Theyve praised his physicality, his football IQ and the kind of impact he can have on an offense that expects to keep the pressure on opposing secondaries. If McCuin does become the Buckeyes next dangerous running mate for Smith, it could give Ohio State the sort of receiver pairing that turns a good passing attack into a nightmare to defend. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio States Backfield Suddenly Looks Like A Real Strength Again
Ryan Day has made it clear throughout camp that Ohio States season will depend in part on getting steady production from the backfield, and the early signs have been encouraging. Bo Jackson has stood out with noticeable improvement, while Isaiah West and transfer JaKobi Jackson have added to the sense that this group is deeper and more competitive than it was a year ago.
For a team with big goals, that matters because the Buckeyes do not just need one runner to pop, they need a room that can carry real weight when the schedule tightens. The coaching staff and players have both pointed to the talent in the group as a key piece of what they are trying to build, and the challenge now is turning a promising camp into something that holds up once the games start. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Has A Quarterback Problem Behind Julian Sayin
Julian Sayin has settled in as Ohio States starter for the upcoming season, but the depth chart behind him is still taking shape. Ryan Day said freshman Luke Fahey and Tavien St. Clair are continuing to battle for the backup job, and the competition has not been decided yet as the Buckeyes work through camp.
Fahey and St. Clair are both expected to get early-season snaps, giving the staff a clearer read on which young quarterback is ready if the need arises. For Ohio State, the bigger question may not be who wins the job today, but who can be trusted to step in behind Sayin when the games start to matter. [Read more 🡒]