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Ryan Day credits beloved walk-on as the 'glue' of Ohio State's locker room
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Ohio State fans know stars like Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, and other offensive playmakers like the back of their hand, but what about the guys who don't see the field? Until this week, walk-on receiver Nolan Baudo was best known as Tate's high school teammate for two years and producing only 305 yards and two scores in his senior year before coming to Columbus. An Academic all-Big Ten honoree, the walk-on just earned major recognition from Ryan Day.

Day gave Baudo one of the highest compliments possible from a head coach. In fact, while Baudo isn't a team captain, he's proving to be a trusted voice in the locker room. It makes sense that Baudo is delivering leadership, as he is pursuing coaching as a profession.

The junior was referred to as the "glue" guy of the team by Day.

Ryan Day names walk-on as key part of Ohio State identity

"He had a great motivational speech. He's kind of the glue," Day said. "Man, he's gonna make a great coach if that's what he decides to do."

Baudo's personal page on Ohio State's website claims he's "one of the most popular players on the team; in an informal poll among the players, about 47 percent of the team answered "Baudo" when asked the question who do you hang around with?"

The 5-foot-10, 180-pounder from Chicago, Illinois, may not be a homegrown talent from Ohio or someone who will ever see the field for the Buckeyes, but he's proving to be a critical presence. If the Buckeyes draw inspiration and have great relationships with Baudo, then more power to him. It's not costing younger guys like Mylan Graham opportunities, and gives the team a little more grit and grounding that a premier leader is someone who isn't the most athletic player on the field.

It might be a good sign of things to come from this defense-driven iteration of the team as they look to repeat as college football champions.


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This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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