Eric Boggs
As the NFL Draft kicks off tonight in Green Bay, few college programs are expected to make a bigger splash than Ohio State. With as many as 17 Buckeyes projected to be selected, Head Coach Ryan Day took a moment to reflect with Dom Tiberi of WBNS 10TV on what this moment means—not just for the players, but for the culture and mission of Ohio State football.
“This is a big part of what these guys came here to do,” Day said, brimming with pride. “To get to the NFL. And now they’ve earned that opportunity.”
Ohio State has long been a pipeline to the pros, but this year’s draft class might be historic. If 15 players are selected, the Buckeyes would tie Georgia’s 2022 record. Seventeen would set a new bar. Day credits this success not just to talent, but to a developmental process that prepares players for more than just Saturdays in the Horseshoe.
“We talk to recruits all the time about development,” Day said. “You can come here and get trained to be a pro. That’s not just a slogan—every position is going to be represented in this draft.”
Indeed, Day highlighted players from quarterback Will Howard, to wide receivers, linemen, linebackers, and secondary players—all poised to enter the NFL ranks. That breadth, he said, is a testament to the program’s holistic approach.
Among the headliners is quarterback Will Howard, a transfer who helped lead the Buckeyes to a national championship. Day, who has both played and coached the position in the NFL, had high praise.
“He’s mature, got great football IQ, and guys are going to gravitate to him,” Day said. “The ball has been coming out of his hand better and better… I think Will Howard and Ohio State were perfect for each other.”
When asked where Howard might land, Day acknowledged the variability of draft night but made one thing clear: “He won’t be on the board very long.”
While NFL teams increasingly lean on analytics and measurables, Day made an impassioned case for scouting character—and culture.
“You want guys who are going to make your locker room better? Draft Buckeyes,” Day said. “These guys are already pros. They’ve performed under pressure, in front of 100,000 people, with the expectations that come with wearing this jersey.”
He also made a strong pitch for the stability and reliability Ohio State alums bring.
“There’s minimal risk in drafting a Buckeye. They’ve been trained to handle the spotlight, the pressure, the discipline. It’s who we are.”
While the NFL Draft serves as a culmination of collegiate careers, it also acts as a launchpad for recruiting. Day didn’t shy away from the fact that producing pros is a major selling point.
“We develop elite athletes better than anyone,” Day said. “But in today’s landscape, you have to follow through. With the transfer portal, kids can walk out the door if things don’t match what you promised. So we stay committed. We tell them it’ll be hard. And it is. But we follow through.”
As the draft unfolds this weekend, Day said he’ll be watching closely—both as a coach and as a father figure.
“We brought these kids in. I feel like I raised them,” he said. “It’s a proud moment, but it’s also just the beginning. The draft isn’t the most important thing. What matters is what they do with the opportunity.”
And if recent history is any indicator, these Buckeyes are ready to seize it.
Stay tuned as Ohio State looks to make history at the 2024 NFL Draft, beginning tonight from Green Ba
