Ohio State football player got very honest about Ryan Day‘s NFL addition to the Buckeyes’ coaching staff
Ryan Day made a big decision to bring Arthur Smith to Columbus, and players are speaking out on how things are going with the new hire.
Ryan Day runs the Ohio State Buckeyes football program like it’s the NFL in many ways and when you look at the coaching staff you’ll get the same feeling. After a successful year with Matt Patricia as the defensive coordinator last season, Day added an NFL offensive mind to the staff this offseason.
When Brian Hartline left for Columbus, the belief was that Day might go to the NFL to bring in a coordinator. That’s what the Buckeyes did with former Pittsburgh Steelers OC Arthur Smith, and the move has been well accepted across the board to this point.
Key Ohio State offensive player gets real about Buckeyes OC Arthur Smith
“He’s a great coach, and just being able to listen to him and how he runs his offense and knowing that he’s been at every single level,” Roberts stated. “He’s such a smart guy that he comes over in our [drills] and teaches us and helps with our footwork and some of our routes just because he’s been through the game for so long.
“But listening to his offense and being in it for a couple of weeks now, I really enjoy it. I love it. I love his offense, and I know it’ll help me for the next level.”
Bringing in a veteran play caller allows Day to be in the CEO role, which he hasn’t been in since the 2024 national championship season. Ohio State should be able to blend together some of Smith’s run and passing concepts with the spread passing game Day has typically had. Bringing those two together should bring an explosive offense led by Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith.
Roberts’ comments show Smith has already come in and taken command of the players. When you have NFL head coaching experience and make the switch to the college level, players will naturally gravitate toward the coach. We’re talking about a team full of players at Ohio State who have aspirations of playing in the NFL.
Someone like Roberts has a chance to be the team’s top tight end with Max Klare and Will Kacmarek off to the NFL. Roberts played in 13 games as a true freshman and caught four passes for 30 yards. Ohio State went out and added Hunter Welcing and Mason Williams in the transfer portal, but Roberts is the most experienced player who returned.
Smith’s arrival has players excited to play for him, and while we don’t have a whole lot to go off of yet, the early signs are encouraging around Day’s key hire.
