Quick hitters from Ryan Day's second spring ball press conference

COLUMBUS — Ohio State head coach Ryan Day held his second press conference of spring ball. Lettermen Row has the rundown of what he said.

What Ryan Day said Tuesday…

+ Day said the bright side about the Alford situation is they don’t have to make a quick decision. He said the running backs are handling it great and their input will be important in the hiring process. Day said he oversaw the running backs Tuesday in practice. Day said he didn’t know for sure about Alford’s departure until Alford gave him word of the change.

+ Day was asked about Alford’s destination, AKA Michigan. He said the team is focused on the moment. The Game will come in November. Right now, it’s March and the focus is on the day-to-day. He said the power of that running back unit is the love for each other.

+ Day smiled when talking about running the running back room Tuesday. He said he’s never done that before. But he believes it will be good for the backfield because he brings in a different perspective. Day emphasized that he thinks this is the best running back room in the country.

+ Day said it’s going to be a “thorough” search for a new running backs coach. Recruiting experience at this level certainly helps, Day said, but it’s not a requisite. Day noted that he and co-OC/WRs coach Brian Hartline didn’t have that kind of experience when they started their respective Ohio State coaching careers. Above all else, they’re focused on finding the right fit.

+ Day said the Buckeyes continued to roll the quarterbacks Tuesday. He said the next two practices are going to be longer and harder, and they’ll come up with a way to divvy up reps under center the best they can during those sessions.

+ Day said that since Tuesday was the first day in pads, there isn’t a whole lot to evaluate on the offensive line yet. When asked about the right side, he noted that Josh Fryar had one of the best offseason of any Buckeyes players. He also mentioned Tegra Tshabola and Luke Montgomery, who are in the mix on the right side. Montgomery has been slotted in at right guard early in spring ball. There’s also Austin Siereveld, who’s been practicing at left guard, but he could flip to right if need be.

+ Day was asked about the opening at WILL linebacker. “Very competitive in each team drill,” Day said. When they are practicing in 12-personnel, Sonny Styles is playing at SAM linebacker in a 4-3-4. But, as for the 4-2-5 base, that competition is ongoing.

+ Day said, with the NCAA allowing helmet technology now, Ohio State is able to use three devices in helmets per practice. Only three is tough because there are five quarterbacks in the room, Day said. Plus, there’s the defensive side of the ball. But working with the helmet technology, Chip Kelly has experience from his NFL days. Right now, they’re just using those devices with the offense. Soon, they’ll use them on the defensive side of the ball. Each day, they’re learning something new about it.

+ Day was asked about the second unit of the defensive tackles. He said that’s one of the most important groups of spring, in terms of seeing who steps up. Building depth with Jason Moore, Kayden McDonald and Hero Kanu will be especially key. He said the Buckeyes are going to have to play five, maybe six, deep at defensive tackle during a season that could stretch 16 or 17 games.

+ Day was asked about the OC hiring timeline (why O’Brien first and then Kelly). He said both O’Brien and Kelly were on his A-list, but that it was a “timing issue” for going with O’Brien over Kelly. At the time, Kelly had a lot on his mind, Day said. By the time O’Brien left, Kelly was a different place, Day explained. Day said he’s taking the A/B list approach to searching for a new running backs coach.

+ Day was asked about the tight end room. “We need those guys, all of them,” Day said. He said he’s excited about Gee Scott Jr., his leadership and his skill set (even though he hasn’t played a ton of snaps in his Buckeyes career). But also Jelani Thurman, Will Kacmarek and Bennett Christian are going to have to step up. He believes they have the talent they need at tight end and don’t need to go to the portal again there.

+ Day was asked about some of the underclassman wide receivers. “The guy you want on your team, that’s Brandon Inniss,” Day said. He said the “sky’s the limit for Carnell,” when discussing Carnell Tate. Day also noted that true freshman Jeremiah Smith has “flashed.” Bryson Rodgers has made an impact in practice as well.

+ Day said defensive end Jack Sawyer broke down practice Tuesday. His leadership was key in a large chunk of the 2021 class coming back. Day reminded reporters that Sawyer was integral in peer recruiting that year’s class, which ranked No. 2 in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

+ Day said that safeties coach Matt Guerrieri and linebackers coach James Laurinaitis are overseeing punt coverage and kickoff coverage. Keenan Bailey and Brian Hartline are overseeing punt return and kick return. Quality control coach Rob Keys is behind the scenes directing that operation. Day said moving to that setup was inspired by legendary Ohio State coach Jim Tressel — Day called a bunch of coaches, and Tressel’s call with him struck. Tressel did this and go great buy-in from the players working with their position coaches.

+ “I think it has the potential to be the best offensive staff in the country,” Day said. He added that watching Kelly run it is going to be “great.”

+ Day said that center Seth McLaughlin’s snaps Tuesday were good (no issues with the cadence), but there were also no problems with Carson Hinzman’s snaps, Day noted. That competition will continue.

+ Day said that both Will Howard and Devin Brown will throw for participating players at Ohio State Pro Day tomorrow.