Day: NIL didn't win Ohio State a championship
Head coach Ryan Day is pushing back against the narrative that Ohio State depended on NIL resources to assemble a roster that went on to win last season's national championship.
"It's easy for people to say that Ohio State had NIL for this amount of money or whatever that it is," Day said on "Josh Pate's College Football Show." "It's just so cheap and easy for someone to say. If you actually do the research, all it does is really tell you the value of an Ohio State football player."
Day highlighted Ohio State's large fan base, the population of Columbus, and the Buckeyes' brand recognition as appealing factors about his program.
"Yeah, our guys are going to make a lot of money in NIL," Day continued. "And the truth is, the majority of those guys were all guys that decided to come back, who were already on the team that we recruited and developed. We did add six or seven guys, but not 15, not 20, where we went out there and just went and got the best players in college football. That wasn't the case. And that's not what won us a championship."
Day did point out that a few transfers last season, like quarterback Will Howard and running back Quinshon Judkins, were "big additions" for the program.
Several key starters opted to return for the 2024 season. Jack Sawyer, JT Tuimoloau, Denzel Burke, and TreVeyon Henderson were among a contingent that decided to forgo the NFL draft. Ohio State defeated Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas before dispatching Notre Dame in the CFP National Championship in January.
Day guided the Buckeyes to their first national title since 2014 in the inaugural year of the expanded 12-team CFP format. Day said the program has fallen behind in recruiting due to competing in the championship game.
The 46-year-old has established a 70-10 record over seven campaigns as the Buckeyes' sideline boss. He found himself on the hot seat prior to the title run after Ohio State suffered a fourth consecutive loss to rival Michigan to close out the 2024 regular season.
"If you don't win championships at Ohio State they're going to find a new coach," Day said. "That's just the way of the world."
Ohio State lost an FBS-high 14 players to the 2025 NFL Draft, tying a school record set in 2004.
The Buckeyes are still bringing back plenty of talent on both sides of the ball, including receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs. Ohio State is in the midst of a heated quarterback battle between Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz, which will extend into summer camp.