Ryan Day gets honest about the culture within the Ohio State football program

Ryan Day acknowledged that Ohio State is not for everyone.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day speaks to the meeting during a press conference before the start of spring football at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on March 7, 2025.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day speaks to the meeting during a press conference before the start of spring football at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on March 7, 2025. | Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Ohio State football team is back in action for the first time in 2025. Spring practice officially started on Monday and it's the first time the team has been back on the field since taking down Notre Dame in the National Championship Game. It's a brand new group of guys.

Ryan Day addressed the media and talked about all of the things that guys saw on the field. It's the first time that we have been able to see where guys are on the depth chart and what the new offense and defense might look like. They do have two coordinators, of course.

Day was asked about the culture that he has built with Ohio State, and he was asked about the culture that he has been able to cultivate. When answering the question, Day acknowledged that being an Ohio State Buckeye is not for everyone. He's looking for a special kind of guy.

The Ohio State football program is looking for a specific kind of player

Days acknowledged that Ohio State is not the same as other programs. The expectations are different in Columbus, and he wants players who want to embrace that. He's looking for players who want to compete every single day and understand that the expectations will create an immense amount of pressure.

Ohio State is a pressure cooker. Day knows that, and he wants players who understand that. If you don't win big, fans will not be happy. He felt that pressure more last year than in any other previous years he was leading the program. The Buckeyes understand what's expected of them.

Day mentioned that other players might not be willing to take on the challenge of coming to Ohio State. Of course, the ones who are in the building are ready to defend the national championship that they won a year ago.

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