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Ryan Day reveals how he is encouraging players to step into leadership role

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby: Grant Grubbs05/05/25grant_grubbs_
Ohio State HC Ryan Day
Kyle Robertson | Columbus Dispatch | USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Ryan Day is trying new ways to improve the player leadership in his program this spring. Last week, the Ohio State head coach revealed that his team will be collectively reading a book on leadership ahead of the season, though he wouldn’t disclose the name of the book.

“They still don’t know that yet because it’s going to be when they come back,” Day said. “So I won’t say the name of the book yet, but the idea of the book is that guys who were not in leadership roles the year before need to now carry the water.

“That’s important, and I think it’s different when you’re actually in that role as a leader. We’re going to try to use that as a reference point, just to try to help them understand that when you’re a leader, you have to take on the burden of being a leader.

“It’s one thing to sit in the back and watch somebody else do it because we have we lost a lot of leadership. Now, we do have some guys who are stepping up in a big way and they just need more opportunity. So that’s going to be the summer project.”

Ohio State’s roster took a significant hit in the leadership category this offseason. The Buckeyes lost 14 players to the NFL Draft and 16 players to the NCAA Transfer Portal.

All four of Ohio State’s team captains from last season are included in those losses: LB Cody Simon, WR Emeka Egbuka, RB TreVeyon Henderson and DE Jack Sawyer. Not to mention, Buckeyes starting quarterback Will Howard moved on to the next level.

Nonetheless, Day is confident that new leaders will emerge for the defending national champions. Of course, he will be the team’s primary leader.

Day put his impressive leadership on full display last season. After the Buckeyes suffered a stunning loss against Michigan in their regular-season finale, most experts no longer consider OSU a legitimate national title contender.

Alas, Ohio State recomposed itself during a three-week break in between games and looked like a different team in the CFP. Ryan Day will need players on this year’s team to show similar resolve if they want to defend their spot atop the college football landscape in the 2025 campaign.