In-state recruiting wins paying dividends for Ryan Day, Buckeyes
COLUMBUS — Ryan Day starred down at the podium and had a few pauses while he recalled a specific recruitment process.
The recruitment process in hand was of running back Miyan Williams and what exactly Day and the Buckeyes saw in Williams.
It took was a visit from offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson and consistent scouting from running backs coach Tony Alford that told Day the Buckeyes needed Williams.
“We just felt like we saw something in a kid from Cincinnati,” Day said during his weekly Tuesday press conference. “Being from Ohio means a lot and we always want to invest in Ohio guys.”
Williams was a three-star prospect out of Cincinnati (Ohio) Winton Woods. He held offers from schools like Iowa State, Boston College and Minnesota. At one point Williams was even committed to the Cyclones.
While he might have been under-scouted from a national standpoint, Ohio State followed Williams.
Williams’ commitment is now paying dividends for the Buckeyes five weeks into the season. He leads the Buckeyes in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and becomes more and more of a featured back. Last week against Rutgers, he was the running back and scored five touchdowns.
Miyan Williams is the clear example in the Day era of why tireless in-state recruiting is critical to success.
Ryan Day has had at least three top 10 Ohio prospects sign with the Buckeyes in each of their last three recruiting classes.
If the early signing period for the 2023 class were today, there would be six, top-10 Ohioans in the program.
“We just want to get football players that can help our team, help our program and help us win,” running backs coach Tony Alford said. “If we can recruit Ohio players, that’s what we’re going to do.”
The Buckeyes have seven total Ohioans in the 2023 class.
Offensive lineman Luke Montgomery, safety Malik Hartford, offensive lineman Josh Padilla, linebacker Arvell Reese, cornerback Jermaine Mathews, offensive lineman Austin Siereveld and defensive lineman Will Smith Jr. all are Ohioans. Smith is the only prospect outside the top 10 of the state — he’s No. 11.
Ohio contains just as much talent in the 2024 cycle including four-star cornerbacks Bryce West and Aaron Scott Jr.
Tireless in-state recruiting matters.
It matters to visit a prospect that you have a feeling about or something on tape jumps out. It matters for the stability and reputation of the program. Most of all it matters because it could give a foundation for the future.
Just ask Ryan Day about Miyan Williams.
