Legendary former Ohio State coach gives this Buckeyes team the biggest compliment Ryan Day could hope for
The Ohio State Buckeyes have been a bit of a finesse team for much of the Ryan Day era. Whether it’s been devastating losses that started in the trenches against Michigan in each of the last four years, or lacking some elite individuals who could overcome bad gameplans, the Buckeyes haven’t been overly tough. That […]
The Ohio State Buckeyes have been a bit of a finesse team for much of the Ryan Day era. Whether it’s been devastating losses that started in the trenches against Michigan in each of the last four years, or lacking some elite individuals who could overcome bad gameplans, the Buckeyes haven’t been overly tough. That changed a bit in last year’s College Football Playoff, and it’s continued into 2025.
Day is now the winningest coach in college football history in terms of win percentage, and his team is evolving. This latest form of the Buckeyes is the scariest yet.
Jim Tressel, who started this incredible two-decade run for the Buckeyes in the early 2000s, is also impressed with Day’s roster-building. Here’s what he said after watching a recent Ohio State practice.
Jim Tressel lauds Ryan Day’s 2025 Ohio State roster for toughness
“Ryan Day says Jim Tressel was at practice yesterday and Greg Mattison was at practice today. He said both of them commented on the edginess of this year’s team. He says that’s something Ohio State wants to be a big part of the identity of this year’s team.”
Tressel is right, too. Whether it’s Davison Igbinosun improving on his biggest weakness, Arvell Reese blossoming into a top 10 NFL Draft prospect, Julian Sayin managing an explosive and efficient offense, or two coordinators developing in real time, the Buckeyes are a tough-nosed, disciplined team. It’s Tressel’s dream team.
The only area they could improve is special teams. That, of course, was Tressel’s forte. Same for Urban Meyer, who thinks this Ohio State team repeats as champions. The Buckeyes are looking to improve on the margins after racing out to a dominant start, but this doesn’t appear to be a team that will be outmuscled or bullied any time soon.
