Ryan Day, Ohio State Enjoy Fruitful January With Eyes on Critical 2024 Season

In the wake of a rough Cotton Bowl loss and Michigan’s national title, the Ohio State Buckeyes football team has done well to bolster its 2024 roster.

The past few months have turned the heat all the way up on Ohio State coach Ryan Day. After falling to archrival Michigan in November, 30–24, Day and the Buckeyes saw the Wolverines win the Big Ten championship and eventually the College Football Playoff national championship. Ohio State, meanwhile, lost its starting quarterback to the transfer portal and struggled mightily in the Cotton Bowl, losing 14–3 to Missouri.

With three consecutive losses to Michigan and no national championship trophies on his mantle, the pressure is certainly mounting for Day and his staff. However, 2024 is a new year, and so far the Buckeyes coach has embraced the changing of the calendar, especially over the previous two weeks.

Following the departure of starting QB Kyle McCord to Syracuse, the Buckeyes landed Kansas State QB Will Howard on Jan. 4. After helping the Wildcats to a Big 12 title in 2022, Howard was rock solid for Chris Klieman’s program in ’23, throwing for 2,643 yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He added 351 yards and nine scores on the ground, and even had an 8-yard receiving touchdown to his name.

Ohio State’s Cotton Bowl loss capped a rough end to 2023 for Ryan Day’s Buckeyes :: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY Network

Good news on the quarterback front isn’t limited to Howard’s commitment, either. On Sunday, the Buckeyes scored another coveted quarterback transfer, landing Alabama’s Julian Sayin. The class of 2024 signal-caller was a consensus five-star recruit and is transferring just weeks after enrolling in Tuscaloosa in response to Nick Saban’s retirement.

The addition won’t cost the Buckeyes their existing blue-chip 2024 quarterback either, as Air Noland has reaffirmed his commitment to Ohio State.

I talked to @AirNoland_ a few mins ago. Ohio State fans he’s not going anywhere. @Bill_Kurelic

— Phillip Dukes (@DukestheScoop) January 21, 2024

As is typical for major programs in January, Ohio State has plenty of outgoing transfers. In total, 19 players have entered the portal from the 2023 roster, with 14 committed or enrolled at other power-conference programs. On the other side of things, the Buckeyes have been a bit selective, but the incoming transfers are heavy hitters.

In addition to Howard and Sayin, Day’s staff edged out Georgia for Alabama safety Caleb Downs, one of the top overall transfers available. He and Day are joined by another highly ranked former Crimson Tide player in offensive lineman Seth McLaughlin. 

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Earlier this month, the team added Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins. He is coming off of back to back seasons with at least 1,100 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. 

The Buckeyes’ efforts haven’t gone unnoticed in Oxford, where Rebels coach Lane Kiffin shared an unsubstantiated story on social media, claiming that Ohio State has spent a significant amount of NIL money to build a roster for next season.  

The Buckeyes also have retained a number 2023 starters that could have entered the NFL draft, including pass-rushers JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer and running back TreVeyon Henderson.

The Buckeyes’ run of good fortune could continue, as Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh interviews for NFL jobs after winning his first national title with the Wolverines. Either way, Day & Co. have done an excellent job of refreshing talent on their roster ahead of a critical 2024 campaign.