James Smith is realizing that athleticism doesn’t automatically secure a starting job in Columbus. The senior defensive tackle and former five-star recruit is locked in a battle for reps during spring camp. Head coach Ryan Day is demanding more consistency from the Alabama transfer.
Day addressed the ongoing positional battles this week and pointed directly at Smith’s development. The head coach acknowledged the physical tools while highlighting the missing ingredient preventing a breakout.
Ryan Day’s Push for Discipline for James Smith
“James has flashed,” Day told reporters during spring media availability this Monday. “I think the biggest thing Larry Johnson is challenging James with is being able to sustain a high level of play for a long period of time.”
Ryan Day on James Smith:
“James has flashed,” Day said. “I think the biggest thing (Larry Johnson) is challenging James with is being able to sustain a high level of play for a long period of time. Being disciplined in the defense. The plays will come to him. But you can see the…
— Chase Brown (@chaseabrown__) April 6, 2026
Defensive line coach Larry Johnson runs a demanding room built on precision. Johnson spent decades churning out professional draft picks by forcing touted prospects to master the technical nuances of the defensive line. He expects his players to maintain their gap assignments and execute the defensive scheme before they earn the right to hunt the quarterback.
Day elaborated on what the defensive staff needs to see before trusting Smith with a permanent starting role.
“Being disciplined in the defense,” Day explained regarding the hurdle. “The plays will come to him. But you can see the talent. You can see how much he loves to play.”
That lack of consistent discipline is a separator in the Big Ten. Smith possesses the burst to disrupt a backfield, having recorded 26 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks for Alabama last season, but that aggressive instinct must be channeled within the overall defensive framework.
Spring practice serves as the crucible for ironing out these tendencies. The coaching staff is intentionally stressing players before the spring game on April 18. They want to see if Smith, who lost his “black stripe” on Saturday following Student Appreciation Day, defaults to athleticism or relies on practiced technique when fatigue sets in.
The stakes are high in Columbus this season. Ohio State is a co-favorite to win the national championship at +700 odds, as the Buckeyes look to avenge a 2025 season that saw them finish behind Big Ten champion Indiana. They currently have an 8% chance to win it, per PFSN’s CFB Playoff Meter.
The coaching staff knows they need a deep rotation of defensive linemen to survive a late-season push. They are pushing Smith hard right now because they expect the No. 1 interior defensive lineman transfer to be a key piece of that championship puzzle.
