Urban Meyer identifies the greatest strength of Ryan Day

On3 imageby:Sam Gillenwater10/05/22

samdg_33

Ryan Day has proven to be one of the better offensive minds in the country. Ohio State has posted a Top-5 offense in three of the Buckeye’s four seasons with Day at the Helm. Plenty wonder what the secret to that success is and Urban Meyer was more than happy to share.

Meyer spoke with Lettermen Row’s Tim May on ‘Urban’s Take’ to break down what makes Ryan Day’s offense so potent. He says it’s because of Day’s understanding of defenses. Since Meyer thinks Day has the knowledge of a defensive coach, he knows how to best take advantage of their opponent’s coverage.

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

“Ryan Day, when I hired him, I immediately saw one of his strengths. He attacks coverages as well as any coach I’ve ever been around,” said Meyer. “I tell people he can actually probably be a secondary coach. That’s how much he understands what’s going on in the back end of the defense.”

In the three full seasons under Day, Justin Fields and CJ Stroud have combined to average 3,269 yards a season. They’ve also thrown 107 total touchdowns for an average of over 35 a season. It’s even more impressive when you consider Fields’ junior campaign was shortened due to the pandemic. Pair their production with elite wide receiver talent and Day has plenty of toys in the chest to maximize his ability to best exploit a defense.

Stroud has already thrown for 1,376 yards and 18 touchdowns this season amidst the No. 1 offense so far in 2022. It’s just further proof to Meyer that Day and his staff are still the best in the nation in the passing game.

“Right now, Ohio State’s the best team in the country pushing the ball down the field. And it doesn’t matter the coverage,” said Meyer. “Obviously the players need to execute it but, once again, Ryan Day and then Corey Dennis and Brian Hartline, their brain trust behind the downfield passing attack, is as good as anybody in the country.”

Fields was a Heisman finalist in 2019 while Stroud was a finalist in 2021. He will likely be back in New York again as a finalist this season. Day’s success in the passing game has proven results both on the field and come award season. It continues to help the Buckeyes compete on the national level, just as Meyer knew it would from the moment he hired Day.