Ohio State Football: To find top recruiters Ryan Day looked to the pros

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day learned well from Urban Meyer realizing he needed top recruiters on his staff. So he looked to the pros.

Since taking over as the Ohio State head football coach Ryan Day has made terrific decisions every step of the way. One was taking the interim tag off receivers coach Brian Hartline and another hiring Jeff Hafly as defensive backs coach.

The two are going ballistic on the recruiting trail even though they were in the NFL before becoming Ohio State assistant coaches. In the 247Sports Composite rankings Hartline is listed as the top recruiter in the country and Hafly is No. 3.

Coach Hartline is credited for being the lead recruiter on five commits to the 2020 Ohio State class. And they are an impressive bunch.

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First a look at four we know he will be working with. It’s by far and away the best group of wide receivers in any recruiting class.

• Julian Fleming is the top ranked wide receiver and the No. 5 player in the country in the 247Sports Composite.
• Jaxon Smith-Njlgba is the No. 10 wide receiver and the 59th overall player.
• Gee Scott Jr. is the 12th rated wide receiver and the No. 63 player in the country.
• Mookie Cooper is ranked as the 14th best receiver and the No. 74 player.

It’s difficult at this time to predict whether coach Hartline’s other recruit Cameron Martinez will play on offense or defense. He is listed as the No. 14 athlete in the class.

Coach Haffley has had quite a haul himself. Check out these recruits.

• Clark Phillips III is the 4th ranked corner and No. 44 player overall.
• Lathan Ranson is the No. 4 rated safety and No. 61 player at any position.
• Luke Wypler is ranked  the No. 1 center and 69th player overall.
• Cody Simon is rated the No. 9 outside linebacker and 127 overall player
• Kourt Williams is ranked as the 12th best linebacker and the No. 162 player in the nation.

It’s extremely impressive Brian Hartline and Jeff Hafley have had this kind of impact on the recruiting trail already as one was playing in the NFL recently and another was coaching in the league. But Ryan Day also coached on Sundays and knew he could have a couple of top flight recruiters if he looked to the pros, and it has paid off.