Ohio State Spring Game Postgame: Ryan Day Talks Pluses, Minuses From Final Practice

COLUMBUS — Ohio State head coach Ryan Day met with reporters following the 2025 spring game. He answered questions about how spring went, what he saw in the final practice of spring camp, how the position battles are shaping up, and much more. The highlights of everything that was said can be found below.

On the QBs: “I don’t know what the numbers were.” Lincoln Kienholz settled down after the first drive. Julian Sayin was in rhythm throughout the game. There was a significant effort on throwing the ball today. “I wish we could’ve stayed out there for another four hours.”
The defense was very vanilla today by design.
Next week will be post-spring evaluations for everybody.
On Julian Sayin’s performance today: “I wish I could put my finger on it.” There were good days and bad days this spring. It’s just a matter of playing the game. The QBs just need to continue to play football.
On the RBs this spring: Hard to tell with RBs until you’re actually taking them to the ground. “I thought Bo Jackson really grew as the spring went on.” James Peoples and CJ Donaldson “are in command.” Peoples could have a special season. He knows what the standard is. “I feel like we have what we need there.”
Gotta take a hard look at the portal at defensive line. There was a lot of “knock back” on the defensive line but he wants to watch the film to be sure.
On Julian Sayin only being 6-foot-1: You’re in the trees and you have to find passing lanes. It doesn’t really affect how they call plays, though there are plays that are easier for him than others. “He’s certainly tall enough. You need to get your elbow up. You need to play big.” Your elbow has to be above your shoulder. He’s moving better now, so that’s good. But he needs more 11-on-11 football, as do the other QBs. That’s front and center in his mind. 7-on-7 is not real football. The throws you’re making aren’t real.
Mylan Graham’s development: Huge to continue getting reps. He just needs to play football. His route-running is excellent. His athleticism is excellent. The focus for him has been securing the ball. He’s serious about his work. “He has all the tools it takes to be the next great one.”
Will Kacmarek will be back and healthy for a full summer. Max Klare is going to be a weapon for the offense in the fall. The entire TE room has grown.
On the offensive tackle depth: “Solid.” The guys have done a good job of picking up secondary positions as well. They’ll have four tackles, which is what you need to make it through a season. Not a finished product yet for sure, but they’ve made strides.
The first thing you notice about this team is that they compete and they’re edgy. But the guys who are going to start this year have not started before. They’ve played, but not as starter. “We’re still talented but we lost the experience.” Every time you go out there, you’re either remembering or learning, “and we’re learning a lot right now.”
On Brian Hartline calling plays: Looked like it worked pretty well. Day stayed off of the headset on purpose. The offense operated smoothly.
Transfer DE Logan George has done well all spring. He has heavy hands. They will continue to find ways to use him most effectively.
They are down a couple of guys on the offensive line from last year, so they could look to the portal there to get there numbers. They need to be at 105 this summer, so that’s another conversation as well.
Did he have to have a talk with Julian Sayin after last Saturday’s practice where he struggled? “The quarterbacks will tell you that I have conversations with them on a daily basis, especially when they make mistakes.” One of the things he talks to them about is how hard it is to play quarterback at Ohio State and everything that comes with it. Great trait for a quarterback is resiliency. Good to see Sayin respond today.