Ryan Day addresses four stars opting out of Rose Bowl vs Utah

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day commented on the Buckeyes losing four of their star players for the Rose Bowl after they opted out to prepare for the 2022 NFL Draft. Ohio State will be without receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, defensive lineman Haskell Garrett and offensive lineman Nicholas Petit-Frere as all four players have opted out of the final game of the season.

Ryan Day on losing players for Rose Bowl

“Certainly love those guys and appreciate everything they’ve done for the program,” said Day via On3’s Austin Ward. “The guys have had a good month of practice, and we’re going to move forward with what we have.”

On Monday, Olave’s announcement that he would miss the Rose Bowl put one more dent in the Buckeyes game plan against Utah. Losing two of their highest profile offensive weapons would be bad enough, but they are also going to be without the defensive leader of their team in Haskell Garrett. In addition, their offensive line will be without one of the most reliable pieces in Petit-Frere.

While Ryan Day may not have much to add about his team’s preparation without four key players, their teammates attested to the energy and talent they bring to the Buckeyes team.

“He creates energy,” defensive end and fellow captain Zach Harrison said of Haskell Garrett. “When Haskell made that play, I just felt it. The defensive energy just kind of took off. We’re celebrating on the field, having a good time. And that’s when I feel like we’re the best. We’re playing, having fun, celebrating, making plays — that’s what defense is about.

“Defense is about energy. And that’s what Haskell Garrett does a good job of bringing.”

Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud had praise for his receivers as well as an understanding that they’re making a decision that’s best for their careers.

“I told Garrett [Wilson] yesterday, I was kind of messing with him, but told him, ‘I don’t want to play with anybody but you,'” Stroud said earlier this month. “But I tell him do what’s best for him. I really don’t have the say-so in that. That’s up to him and his family and what he wants to do.

“I told them both [Wilson and Olave] to just do whatever is best for you. I mean, at the end of the day, whatever they decide to do, I’m behind them. Because in this sport, in this life, in this college football world, a lot of people do what’s best for them. So you kind of have to do what’s best for you, even if it might look as a selfish situation. Because those guys gave everything to Ohio State. I’ve never seen them make a selfish decision.”