As Reported by On3: Ohio State Head Coach Ryan Day Gets brutally Honest Ahead Of Pivotal 2024 season
Ohio State’s Sole Focus: A Championship Season in 2024
In Columbus this season, the Ohio State Buckeyes have a singular, unwavering goal: winning a championship. Beating Michigan remains a crucial objective, especially for head coach Ryan Day, but the Buckeyes are setting their sights even higher for 2024.
Ohio State is undoubtedly in a “championship or bust” mode. This sentiment was clearly articulated by Day during his address at the Big Ten Media Days. Day emphasized that many players returned to the team with the specific goal of securing a championship.
“I think our guys came back for a reason,” Day stated, as reported by On3. “There’s a group of guys, probably 10 or 12, who could have gone to the NFL and came back for a reason. They didn’t come back just to play; they came back to win something. So we owe that to them. The coaches, the young guys, we owe it to those guys who decided to return to give them everything they need to go chase a championship.”
The Buckeyes will see some new talent in their lineup this season. Kansas State transfer Will Howard is the frontrunner for the starting quarterback position, while the addition of star safety Caleb Downs from Alabama, after his standout freshman season, bolsters the defense. Additionally, Ohio State signed five-star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, the top recruit in the 2024 class.
Nevertheless, the team retains some key veterans. Senior defensive end Jack Sawyer, who recorded 6.5 sacks last season, is back for another run. Senior defensive tackle Tyleik Williams aims to improve on his three-sack performance from the previous season.
In the secondary, the senior cornerback duo of Denzel Burke and Jordan Hancock is considered one of the best in college football. On the offensive side, the Buckeyes feature senior running back TreVeyon Henderson, who rushed for 926 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, senior wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, who tallied 515 yards and four touchdowns, and senior left guard Donovan Jackson, who allowed only three sacks in over 20 games.
The talent on Ohio State’s roster is substantial on both sides of the ball. With this level of talent comes high expectations.
“We have some goals in mind and we want to get those things done, but there’s great opportunity this year and great excitement around the program,” Day continued. “Once all that dust settles from this visit, we’ll get back to work next week in preseason camp and focus on what matters.”
As the Buckeyes prepare for the upcoming season, the focus is clear. Ohio State is determined to translate their talent and preparation into a championship. With returning veterans, promising new recruits, and a coach committed to excellence, the Buckeyes are gearing up for a potentially historic season. The excitement in Columbus is palpable, and the team is ready to tackle the challenges ahead with a championship mindset.
