Ohio State coach Ryan Day said Tuesday that talent alone will not get a player on the field, telling reporters the program will not trade its culture for playing time no matter how highly regarded a freshman is.
Day was asked why defensive end Khary Wilder and running back Legend Bey did not play in the Buckeyes’ game against Iowa. Neither recorded a snap. Day said the decision was not about ability.
“Nobody just gets on the field because they have talent,” Day said. “We recruit guys to come in and play. That’s why they’re here. We wouldn’t invest all the time and resources into each player if we didn’t want them to play.”
He said coaches and players share the responsibility. Coaches have to make sure a player is meeting the program’s requirements. Players have to take accountability and check those boxes themselves.
“When that happens, you’ve seen we put them on the field,” Day said. “Whether it’s a transfer that comes in day one or a freshman, then we’ll do that. When guys don’t do that, then they haven’t earned the opportunity to play, then they need to do that.”
Day was more direct when the conversation turned to standards. He said there is risk in holding young players out, but a greater risk in lowering the bar.
“If you compromise your culture and your values and the requirements it takes to be a player in this program, then we’re going to lose our culture, and that cannot happen,” Day said. “Everything that we do in this program is fair. It’s very transparent, and sometimes it just takes a little bit of time, but it ultimately comes down to communication.”
Wilder, a four-star freshman from Junipero Serra High School in Gardena, California, has played 49 snaps this season and is tied for third on the team with eight quarterback pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. He had four pressures on 16 snaps against Illinois and did not play against Iowa.
Bey, a four-star freshman from Forney, Texas, scored a 25-yard touchdown on 10 snaps in the season opener against Ball State. He has played four offensive snaps since and has not appeared against Illinois or Iowa. On the season he has eight rushes for 37 yards and two catches for 37 yards and a touchdown.
Before the Iowa game, Day said the staff already knows Bey’s ability and that the running back needs to “continue to work to build trust,” especially in practice. Bey dealt with an ankle injury against Kent State but has not been listed on the injury report since, and Day has indicated the recent absences were not injury-related.
Other freshmen have played regularly, including nickel Jay Timmons and receivers Chris Henry Jr. and Brock Boyd. Day used that contrast to say the standard is the same for every newcomer.
“I think we have some really talented freshmen. They just need to make sure they’re doing their part to earn these opportunities,” Day said. “And once they earn the opportunities, then they have to do their job on the field and grade out. It doesn’t just work like, ‘I go out there, I don’t really do my job, and then I get another opportunity.’”
Ohio State hosts Maryland on Saturday. Day said he wants both players on the field if the week of practice goes the right way.
“Nobody wants to get these guys on the field more than we do, but we all have a responsibility,” Day said. “If we can have a good week here, then I’m hoping we can see those guys on the field.”
Day has sent the message; we will see if it is received.
