While Ohio State’s football program is often celebrated for national championship success, few truly acknowledge the immense pressure that comes with those expectations. Head coach Ryan Day, despite leading the Buckeyes to the top, is now facing new challenges that may jeopardize both the team’s title hopes and his own job security. As the 2025 season kicks off with Ohio State holding the defending national champions title, internal cracks have started to appear—mainly due to departures through the transfer portal and recruitment difficulties.
The 2024 season will remain unforgettable for Ohio State fans and especially for Day. Despite a strong 14-2 record, the team suffered a crushing 10-13 loss to their fierce rivals, Michigan. The defeat stirred a wave of criticism, with fans calling for Day to be fired—an outcry that even extended to his family. Nevertheless, he managed to hold on and eventually turned the tide in his favor, securing the national championship.
Looking ahead to 2025, Day is fully aware of the high stakes. Losing momentum could not only cost him another title shot but potentially his position. What’s more concerning, however, is the turnover on the roster. Ohio State has seen the departure of several key contributors from their 2024 championship squad. Among those leaving are standout running backs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson, along with defensive ends Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau.
Despite these losses, Ohio State hasn’t remained idle. They’ve made some moves in the transfer portal, acquiring offensive linemen like Phillip Daniels from Minnesota and Ethan Onianwa from Rice. However, these additions may not be enough to fully offset what was lost.
A prominent college football analyst recently discussed Ohio State’s situation, acknowledging their elite recruiting class—ranked No. 4 nationally with two 5-star recruits, fourteen 4-stars, and six 3-stars. Yet, even with strong recruiting, the team showed clear weaknesses last season, and 2025 appears to be even more uncertain. The analyst highlighted that although Ohio State is typically known for “reloading” rather than rebuilding, the challenge lies in the replacements for their top departures.
Beyond the roster, another looming issue is the loss of both coordinators. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly have moved on, placing even more pressure on Day and his staff to fill major leadership gaps. The analyst expressed uncertainty about how the team would adjust to such widespread change, even with the level of talent they still possess.
Recruitment for future seasons also presents a significant concern. The 2026 class is already causing headaches for the Buckeyes, especially when it comes to securing a top quarterback. Prospects like Derek Zammit and Jett Thomalla have committed elsewhere, and top target Nathan Bernhard appears to be leaning toward Michigan—Ohio State’s greatest rival.
One factor complicating recruiting efforts is the emergence of freshman quarterback Tavien St. Clair. Viewed as a long-term starter and future face of the program, St. Clair’s presence might deter other quarterbacks from committing, knowing they’ll have to wait their turn. In Ohio State’s spring game, St. Clair showed flashes of brilliance, throwing for 116 yards and a touchdown, although he also tossed two interceptions—showing he’s still developing.
Even former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer has weighed in, offering a more tempered outlook. Though impressed by the team’s talent and recruiting efforts, Meyer predicted a 10-win season—a solid record, but well short of championship glory. He acknowledged the team’s strong showing in the spring and praised quarterback Julian Sayin, but ultimately voiced doubt that the Buckeyes could repeat last season’s success.
In summary, Ryan Day enters the 2025 season with both opportunity and uncertainty looming. While the talent remains strong and expectations high, losses across the roster and coaching staff have made the road to another national championship far more difficult. Whether Day can once again defy the odds and lead the Buckeyes back to the title remains one of the most compelling questions in college football.