Ryan Day Names Potential Ohio State Starter Who Has 'Really Improved' This Offseason

The Ohio State Buckeyes won the 2024-25 national title by playing sound football in all three phases, but it was their special teams that cost them dearly in an end of the regular season loss to arch rival Michigan.

On Monday, head coach Ryan Day took time out to address the special teams unit of his 2025-26 ball club, weighing in on a race between two players for a starting job including one who has improved significantly this o ffseason in his estimation.

Day painted the picture of a competition that is ongoing and could lead to improved play in 2025-26.

"Ryan Day said Ohio State hasn't made a final decision on who its starting punter will be this season, but he feels comfortable with both Joe McGuire and Nick McLarty," reporter Dan Hope of Eleven Warriorswrote.

"He says McLarty has really improved from last season."

McLarty recorded two punts for an average of 32.5 yards last season.

McGuire was far busier last season with 47 punts for an average of 42.1 yards with a long of 61.

The Day comments came as the college football community rallied around longtime College GameDay host Lee Corso. Big news was shared on OSU safety Caleb Downs.

OSU's special teams unit hasn't been talked about much outside of the halls of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. It may factor in much more often this season in what is expected to be a highly competitive year for a football powerhouse with a target on its back after a national title winning year.