I’ve been vocal about this all year: Ryan Day is the best coach in college football, and he’s building the sport’s next dynasty. He’s recruiting at an elite level, he has a national championship on his résumé, and for the second straight season, Ohio State looks like the best team in the country.
Recruiting momentum is picking up again, but to understand why, we need to look back 3–6 months.
How Ohio State Took Back Control
Earlier this year, Ohio State pulled its NIL strategy in-house through the newly formed Buckeye Sports Group—created with Learfield’s Ohio State Sports Properties. It was a massive shift, allowing the program to manage NIL both directly and indirectly.
But this summer came with frustration. The Buckeyes missed on a few five-star players they normally would’ve landed. The reason always pointed back to NIL—other schools were offering bigger numbers.
Ryan Day & Ross Bjork Made the Right Call
Sure, fans were frustrated. But the big picture mattered.
Ohio State clearly chose to play the long game. A lot of kids were taking early NIL promises from programs that, frankly, may not have had the money. And now that October hit, the tide has turned.
Ohio State has landed six commitments in the last 41 days, several of them flips:
- 4★ CB Lawrence Timmons
- 4★ WR Jaeden Ricketts
- 4★ DT Emanuel Ruffin
- 4★ S Khmari Bing
- 3★ OG Landry Brede
- 3★ OG Mason Wilhelm
Day and Bjork bet on stability and honesty. It’s paying off. Recruits are realizing that some NIL “offers” elsewhere aren’t real—or that Ohio State provides something more valuable: a proven winning culture.
A Wild Offseason Opened the Door
This has been the most chaotic offseason in college football history. Schools are desperate to win and are dropping $50M+ on new coaching staffs without blinking.
Players today are looking for:
- stability
- development
- a path to the NFL
- a culture that lasts
And that’s harder to find than ever.
Programs are cycling through coaches. Money is flying around with no results to back it up. And we’re seeing 20–30 players per roster hitting the portal every year.
But at Ohio State?
You know exactly what you’re getting under Ryan Day:
– Consistent 11–12 win seasons
– A legitimate shot at a national title
– NFL-ready development
– A stable culture
That matters—especially right now.
Culture Over Cash
Ohio State has been clear: they’re not paying top-dollar NIL for high school kids. And honestly, they shouldn’t.
They’ll be competitive. They’ll offer life-changing money. But they’re not blowing the market away.
And I love that.
This approach reveals which kids truly value development, culture, and winning. And before anyone jumps in—yes, recruits deserve every cent they can earn. But handing out millions to players who haven’t taken a college snap is risky business.
Ohio State focuses on:
- competitive offers
- culture fit
- long-term development
That’s how you build a sustainable program.
The Five-Stars Will Be Back
Let’s be clear: Ohio State is fine.
The 2026 class already features Chris Henry Jr., one of the biggest names in the entire country, along with other elite recruits.
And last year?
Ohio State spent heavily to retain stars like Will Howard, TreVeyon Henderson, Quinshon Judkins, and Emeka Egbuka—players who now look like future NFL difference-makers.
This year’s roster is also loaded with future pros:
- Jeremiah Smith
- Carnell Tate
- Sonny Styles
- Davison Igbinosun
When you keep proven stars, it costs money—which naturally leaves less for high school recruiting. But as those players head to the NFL this offseason, NIL space opens back up.
Expect Ohio State to reload quickly.
High School Recruiting vs. the Transfer Portal
College football teams can flip a roster overnight through the portal—especially programs with Ohio State’s NIL backing.
But in terms of long-term value?
High school recruiting is still the best investment.
High school blue-chips are:
- cheaper than proven transfer stars
- more moldable developmentally
- the backbone of sustainable success
If you build a strong high school pipeline, you reduce how often you need to spend big money in the portal.
And Ohio State has done that for years—consistently finishing with top-5 recruiting classes.
The Bottom Line
Ryan Day and Ross Bjork made a tough decision, held firm, and it’s paying off. The Buckeyes are winning on the field, stabilizing NIL, and surging in recruiting at the perfect time.
In a college football world defined by chaos, Ohio State has become the model of consistency.
And that’s why Ryan Day is the best coach in the country—and why the Buckeyes are positioning themselves for the sport’s next dynasty.
