Ohio State head coach Ryan Day met with the media on Wednesday, National Signing Day, to discusses the Buckeyes’ 2020 recruiting haul.
Here’s a brief recap of what he had to say:
- Day mentioned the differences with the Early Signing Period and National Signing Day, as the Buckeyes landed just one player this morning after signing 24 players in December.
- Day on four-star athlete signee Cameron Martinez: “Very excited to have Cam.” Gave him credit for how he handled Jeff Hafley’s departure and Kerry Coombs’ arrival. Added they’re going to give him an opportunity to play on both sides of the ball, as well as the return game. “I think he was one of the most under-recruited players in the country.”
- Day said Coombs and co-defensive coordinator Greg Mattison will collaborate on how to call the defense, but the former will have the final say.
- Day said the staff had to walk away from a few players late in the process because of the scholarship numbers, but adds things “have a way of working themselves out.”
- Day added Ohio State is waiting to see if wide receiver C.J. Saunders will be granted a sixth year of eligibility.
- Day on five-star wide receiver signee Julian Fleming: “God’s given him some great talents.”
- Day said Martinez could potentially play running back in college, which would make up for the fact that the Buckeyes didn’t sign two running backs this cycle as they had hoped. The plan is to start him off at H-Back on offense and nickel cornerback on defense and gather feedback from Martinez throughout the spring.
- Day said having the early signing period in December makes the process disjointed. “Well over 90 percent of everyone signs (at that time).”
- “There’s a family atmosphere here right now,” Day said when asked about the team coming together following the loss to Clemson in the College Football Playoff.
- Day said he understood and respected Martinez’s decision to not sign in December. “I told him it’s my job to make sure we hire the best coach in the country.” Also encouraged him to check out other schools if he wanted.
- Day said Coombs was his “No. 1 pick” to replace Hafley.
- Day on four-star wide receiver signee Mookie Cooper, who gives the Buckeyes a threat in the slot: “There has to be a toughness inside.”
- “There’s a lot less coffee in the building right now,” Day said of Coombs’ energy. “He’s very positive, and the guys feed off of that.”
- Day said he expects Ohio State to use a mix of both man and zone coverage on defense, though Coombs had his cornerbacks play exclusively in man coverage during his previous tenure.
- Day on early enrollee four-star quarterback C.J. Stroud and Jack Miller. “It’s OK to have really good quarterbacks in a room together. Regardless of how it plays out for them, they’re going to get developed.”
- Day said you have to find a balance when it comes to having best coaches in the country but hope they don’t necessarily want to leave for a head coaching job anytime soon. “I’m hoping he is here for a long time,” he said of Coombs.
- Day said every wide receiver signee has a chance to make the two-deep roster. “Brian (Hartline) has his hands full.”
