One of Ohio State's biggest transfer losses reveals honest feelings about Ryan Day and Buckeyes program

The Ohio State Buckeyes have routinely built one of, if not the best, rosters in college football in many of the last 10 years. Ohio State's excellent recruiting ability and on-field production have it serving as the new gold standard of consistency now that Nick Saban is retired. But the consequence of luring so much high-end talent is that some players will transfer elsewhere when they're unable to get on the field.

One of Ohio State head coach Ryan Day's big recruiting pulls in 2020 was defensive back Ryan Watts. The massive 6-foot-3 cornerback left Texas to come to Columbus and spent two seasons with the program, playing in 17 games and notching two interceptions as a reserve player. After 2021, Watts transferred to Texas and found All-American-level success.

This week, Watts pulled the curtain back on his feelings about Day, Ohio State, and how he compared Texas and Steve Sarkisian to the Buckeyes.

Ryan Watts details his love for Ohio State and Ryan Day

In 24 games with Texas, Watts produced 89 tackles, one interception, and six pass breakups. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, but retired with a career-ending neck injury before playing a regular-season down.

Watts, only 23, has a great perspective of what it's like to play for great coaches like Day, Sarkisian, and Mike Tomlin. Here's what he said about Day and his relationship with the Buckeyes' head man.

"That's my guy. Coach Day is my guy. I was able to listen to him. Coach Day got a lot of my respect. He wanted me. Like when I was trying to leave, he was, like I almost stayed just because of him because he really wanted me to stay. He fought a lot for me through my time there and I just respect him. He's a cool person, like he gets it and you can get along with him."