Ryan Day has already secured 10 commitments in the 2027 class, which features a pair of five-star recruits. Ohio State is going to get a boost in its recruitment process after the Buckeyes witnessed huge success in the 2026 NFL Draft this week.
How Head Coach Ryan Day Sets a Bold NFL Standard for Ohio State Recruits
Day wants Ohio State recruits to expect to be first- or second-round NFL draft picks.
“During the recruiting process, we talk about it, and you heard me say the other day on a podcast like, ‘You come in want, you know, looking to be a first or second rounder,’” Day said. “Well, not everybody is, but it’s the mindset like that’s the expectation again. We expect to win every game.
“Does it always happen? No. Does everybody become a first or second rounder? No. But the mindset is that way, and it’s been this way for a long time. Well, longer than I’ve been here. I also think the last part that is important is stability. I think when you have stability, you have the ability to develop people at eye level.”
Day has every reason to brag, as Ohio State has now joined Alabama as the only programs ever to produce seven players selected in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft in back-to-back years. The Buckeyes reached a new milestone in the 2026 Draft, having two tight ends selected in the same draft for the first time. The Los Angeles Rams picked Max Klare in the second round at No. 61 overall, while the Miami Dolphins selected Will Kacmarek with the No. 87 pick in the third round.
Both tight ends were drafted higher than any Ohio State player at the position in more than two decades. Meanwhile, Klare became the highest-drafted Buckeye tight end in 30 years, since Rickey Dudley was taken ninth overall in the 1996 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. Klare also had an 80.0 score in the PFSN College Football TE Impact Metric last season, ranking No. 26 nationally.
All these moments will definitely boost Ohio State’s recruiting, as Day revealed that conversations begin with bringing recruits to Ohio State.
“I think that we specialize in developing the elite athlete,” Day said, via Cleveland.com. “It starts with a mindset. Then the school, the expectation, playing in front of the bright lights, producing, being in Columbus, which is very much like being in an NFL town. We have 12 million fans, so the attention that they get, they have to move different, they have to act different.”
Day said that Ohio State has completed its spring game evaluations and conducted exit interviews. He confirmed that his assistant coaches will now be heading out on the road to continue recruiting efforts.
