Ohio State Football: Top 2 priorities for Ryan Day

Urban Meyer left the Ohio State football program in excellent shape but new head coach Ryan Day still has situations on both sides of the ball that need addressed.

On the surface, head coach Ryan Day’s task is to maintain the structure of the Ohio State football program Urban Meyer built over the last seven seasons. Athletic director AD Gene Smith selected Day to avoid having to start over and to sustain continuity. Obviously that was a smart move.

The only legitimate criticism that can be made against the program right now is how a team so rich in resources and talent has suffered two obscenely bad losses in back-to-back seasons costing it a shot at national championships. Beyond that, who can argue with the results since 2012?

Digging beneath the surface though there are two areas that need coach Day’s attention if he wants a successful 2019 season.

Linebacker Development

Outside of running back, is there a more cherished position in Ohio State’s history than linebacker?

Since Luke Fickell’s departure the play of this unit has deteriorated.  For two-straight seasons no linebacker has made first, second or third-team All-Big Ten. That should never happen.

Given the strength of the defensive line over the last two years, it is strange that this unit has become so inconsistent. Lack of talent does not appear to be the issue. Malik Harrison, Tuf Borland, Pete Werner and Baron Browning all played well at times and showed flashes of what they could become as a unit.

They also allowed far too many long-yardage runs by being out of position to make plays. With better coaching and an off-season of preparation, I expect these four will be much improved next year and finally shed its underachieving label.

If not, the 2018 recruiting class brought in the best set of linebackers since 2002. It might be time to see what they can do.

Next I’ll look at the situation on the other side of the ball that must be addressed.