Urban Meyer admits Ryan Day has confirmed to him the Ohio State Buckeyes have to sometimes miss out on players for the bigger picture

Ryan Day finally got over the hump he had been trying to clear — winning a National Championship with the Ohio State Buckeyes just a few months ago.

After losing to Michigan for a fourth straight time, it looked like the Buckeyes were headed for another disappointing finish, falling short of their goals yet again. Instead, Ohio State went on what may be one of the most impressive title runs ever, securing wins over Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame.

Since taking over for Urban Meyer, Day has compiled an impressive 70–10 record. One key factor in the program’s sustained success has been his ability to bring in the right people. Meyer recently spoke about this on “The Herd”, highlighting Day’s commitment to maintaining the program’s culture.

“I think Ohio State — and I’ve talked to Coach [Ryan] Day about this and Mark Pantoni, their GM — has never been more cautious about who they bring into that program,” Meyer said on Tuesday. “First of all, you don’t need to change much because they recruit at an incredible level. So if you’re going to bring someone in, I got to a point a couple of times in my career where [I thought], ‘Do not take that person if they can disrupt the culture; don’t do it.’”

As a result, we let some good players get away from us, but we’re not going to change our culture — and that’s what they’re doing now.”

Sometimes talented players are passed over because they don’t fit the character expectations within the locker room. Like every other top-tier program, Ohio State has had to part directions with players they wish they didn’t — due to issues off the field that don’t have to do with football necessarily. 

While money and NIL deals play a major role in recruiting today, Ohio State continues to prioritize players who genuinely want to be Buckeyes. The Buckeyes recruit at a top-five level year in and year out — and now, fresh off a National Championship, it’s clear they’re doing something right in Columbus.