Ryan Day: 'If You're Not a First- or Second-Rounder,' Ohio State Isn't For You

Ryan Day hears the noise. In fact, it fuels him in a way that leads him to set his Ohio State roster to such an incredibly high standard.

In an appearance on the "Not Just Fooball Podcast," which is hosted by former Buckeyes star and current Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive lineman Cameron Hayward, the Ohio State head coach shared that he expects every player who commits to his team to be a top pick in the NFL Draft. 

"I think it's across the board at Ohio State," Day said. "When you come here, you're coming here to be a first- or second-round pick, regardless of your position. That's it. Just like if we don't win games and championships, they're going to find a new coach. Well, if you're not a first- or second-rounder, then this probably isn't the right place for you. That's just the reality of it." 

Ohio State has been a factory at developing first-round picks over the course of the program's illustrious history. The 95 first-round picks Ohio State has developed are the most of any program. It had seven players picked in the first 45 selections in last year's draft, and it might have four players get drafted in the top 10 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Still, there are some other notable players in Ohio State's history who haven't been picked in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft. National championship-winning quarterback Will Howard was a sixth-round pick in last year's draft, and 2006 Heisman winner Troy Smith was a fifth-round pick in 2007. 

But those are seemingly the exceptions that Day is willing to let the Ohio State program live with. Now entering his eighth season as Ohio State's head coach, Day has placed the bar for his team at the same level that his fan base has. 

"We embrace the expectations," Day said. "Nobody