‘I think he works well’ - Ryan Day admits he’s already liking a new starter’s fit with Ohio State just one game into the season

Ohio State Buckeyes’ impressive win over the Texas Longhorns was a game where the home team in Columbus broke in a number of new starters. Just a season after winning the national championship, the Buckeyes had to replace 15 starters from last year. Early returns suggest they did a terrific job of reloading where needed.

Having Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs back is huge for Ohio State, but new stars are already emerging as well. The Buckeyes opted to roll with a true sophomore opposite Downs, and it looks like that decision couldn’t have been better.

“An excellent start,” Ryan Day said of safety Jaylen McClain on Tuesday. “I think he works well with Caleb. He’s a good tackler, he plays downfield, he sees things, he’s fast. That was a really good start in a big spot right there. That’s gonna build confidence going into the rest of the season.”

McClain recorded eight tackles against the Longhorns, five of them solo. During the preseason, it was Malik Hartford and McClain battling for the starting spot, but in Week 1, no other safety took a snap outside of the starting duo. The Buckeyes leaned on the two safeties they clearly trust most, and it paid off—they held Texas to just seven points and spoiled Arch Manning’s first big road start. Matt Patricia’s debut as defensive coordinator couldn’t have gone much better, with the secondary especially shining in slowing down Ryan Wingo and company.

New starters like McClain stepping in seamlessly is a promising sign for Ohio State. Lathan Ransom played a key role last season, and McClain will need to be very good opposite Downs given all that position demands. A former low four-star recruit, McClain appeared in 15 games as a true freshman and logged 15 tackles during that time.

It looks like the Buckeyes once again have an elite defense, and players like McClain will be central to the team’s success this season.

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