Ryan Day Challenges Offensive Line to Step Up — Says Ohio State’s Run Game Will Only Improve When “Everybody Up Front Gets Better” and Stresses All Backs Will Keep Getting Reps
Ryan Day didn’t hide behind excuses this week. The Ohio State head coach made it clear that if the Buckeyes want to take the next step offensively, it starts — and ends — with the men in the trenches. Speaking candidly about his team’s inconsistent running game, Day admitted that improvement must begin up front, emphasizing that “everybody on that line has to get better” if Ohio State expects to dominate like the championship-caliber team it aims to be.
After a string of games where the Buckeyes’ offense looked explosive one moment and sluggish the next, Day’s message was unmistakable. He’s not looking for a miracle play or a new star running back to emerge out of thin air. Instead, he’s demanding a collective rise in performance, toughness, and cohesion from his offensive line — the heartbeat of any successful running game.
“We have to be better up front,” Day said firmly after reviewing the film. “The running backs can only do so much. It starts with protection, it starts with movement, it starts with physicality. If we want our run game to be elite, that’s where it’s going to happen — in the trenches.”
For an Ohio State program built on physicality and balance, the lack of consistent push in the ground game has been frustrating. While the Buckeyes have no shortage of talented backs — TreVeyon Henderson, Quinshon Judkins, Dallan Hayden, and Chip Trayanum have all flashed potential — the holes simply haven’t been there often enough. Day’s comments made it clear he doesn’t intend to fix that by narrowing the rotation or placing blame on his ball carriers. Instead, he’s doubling down on competition and accountability at every position, beginning with the offensive line.
“Everybody needs reps,” Day said. “We’ve got a deep room, and everyone in there is going to have a role as the season goes on. We’re not ready to just give up on that rotation. We trust all those guys, and they all need to keep working, because at some point, we’re going to need every single one of them.”
That balance between demanding more and maintaining trust is what makes Day’s leadership style so respected inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. He doesn’t panic after a rough performance, nor does he shy away from tough criticism. He knows the standard Ohio State football is built on — controlling the line of scrimmage, wearing down defenses, and finishing games with authority — and he’s intent on returning to that formula.
This season’s offensive line, however, has been a work in progress. With new faces stepping into key roles and chemistry still developing, the unit has shown flashes of dominance but also periods of inconsistency. The interior has struggled at times to establish leverage against aggressive defensive fronts, and communication breakdowns have led to negative plays that stall drives. Day knows those details are the difference between a five-yard gain and a drive-killing second-and-long.
“Consistency is the biggest thing,” he said. “We’ve seen some good moments, but we’ve got to string those together. It’s about execution every single snap. It’s not just one or two guys — it’s the whole group. When we all do our job, the backs can do theirs. But when one piece is off, it shows up immediately.”
In the film room, that message has been reinforced over and over. Day and offensive line coach Justin Frye have been relentless in their push for improvement. The emphasis is on pad level, hand placement, and finishing blocks — fundamentals that turn average plays into game-changing ones. Frye, who has worked under Day for several years, shares the head coach’s belief that improvement isn’t about drastic change but about refining every detail.
“When you’re playing offensive line, the margin for error is so small,” Frye said earlier in the week. “You can’t just be tough. You’ve got to be technically sound, smart, and disciplined. Ryan’s been clear with the guys — our standard is to dominate, not just survive.”
The players have taken that challenge personally. Left tackle Josh Simmons and right guard Donovan Jackson, both leaders in the room, spoke about the importance of pride and accountability. They know the success of the entire offense — from quarterback efficiency to red-zone scoring — depends on their ability to impose their will.
“We know it’s on us,” Simmons admitted. “Coach Day’s message hit home. We’ve got to finish blocks, sustain longer, and keep the tempo going. We’ve got the talent. It’s just about putting it all together for four quarters.”
For Day, that kind of player ownership is exactly what he wants. He’s not the type to micromanage every snap, but he expects his leaders to set the tone. In that sense, his approach this week was both a challenge and an invitation — a challenge to get tougher, and an invitation to rise to the moment.
The Buckeyes’ schedule doesn’t get any easier, with physical Big Ten defenses lined up in the coming weeks. Those matchups will test every ounce of progress the offensive line has made. Day knows that if Ohio State wants to win the conference and contend for the playoff, they can’t rely solely on their passing attack or explosive receivers. They’ll need a run game that can move the chains when defenses know what’s coming.
“You can’t be one-dimensional in this league,” Day explained. “When you play great teams in November, you have to be able to run the football when everyone in the stadium knows you’re going to run it. That’s what championship football looks like.”
The rotation at running back has drawn plenty of conversation among fans and analysts, with many wondering if Day might eventually narrow it to a single feature back. But for now, the head coach seems comfortable keeping all his options open. Henderson, when healthy, offers elite breakaway speed and vision. Judkins, the Ole Miss transfer, brings a downhill, physical style. Hayden is reliable and decisive, while Trayanum provides versatility and blocking strength.
“Each guy brings something different,” Day said. “That’s part of what makes this group so exciting. We’re still figuring out the best combinations, but we’re not going to stop giving them opportunities. Competition makes everyone better.”
That competition extends to practice, where Day has been pushing his linemen and backs alike to raise their intensity. During recent sessions, the emphasis has been on situational football — short-yardage, goal-line, and third-down scenarios — where physicality is non-negotiable. The coaching staff has turned up the pressure, creating game-like environments to simulate the kind of grit they’ll need on Saturdays.
The results, according to players, are beginning to show. Even if the stat sheet hasn’t exploded yet, there’s a growing sense that Ohio State’s offense is close to breaking through. Once the timing between linemen and backs clicks fully, and the confidence returns, Day believes the run game could become a defining strength rather than a lingering question mark.
“We’re right there,” Day said with conviction. “It’s just about putting it all together — the effort, the technique, the mindset. When we do that, I think you’ll see a big jump.”
That optimism isn’t misplaced. Historically, Day’s teams have found their rhythm as the season wears on. In previous years, early-season struggles in the trenches have often given way to late-season surges once chemistry and confidence solidified. This group may be following a similar trajectory, with the potential to peak at just the right time.
For fans, the coach’s message offers reassurance — not frustration, but a sense of purpose. Day isn’t satisfied, but he’s not discouraged either. He knows the solution isn’t drastic change but disciplined improvement. He’s challenging his players to own the problem, to take pride in their craft, and to trust that collective effort will yield results.
There’s also a deeper layer to Day’s comments — a philosophy that extends beyond X’s and O’s. Football, in his eyes, is about accountability and growth. Every position group, every player, every rep matters. When he says “everybody up front has to get better,” it’s not just a technical critique; it’s a reminder that greatness is built on shared responsibility.
That kind of mindset has long defined Ohio State football. From Woody Hayes to Urban Meyer to Ryan Day, the through line has always been about toughness — mental, emotional, and physical. When the going gets hard, the Buckeyes have always turned inward, not outward. Day’s latest challenge to his offensive line is simply the modern echo of that timeless philosophy.
As the season progresses, the spotlight will remain on that offensive front. Can they deliver the consistency Day demands? Can they turn those short gains into drive-sustaining chunks? Can they protect their quarterback while paving the way for a balanced, unstoppable attack?
If the answer is yes, Ohio State will look every bit like the powerhouse its fans expect. If not, Day’s words this week will linger as both a warning and a rallying cry.
For now, though, the Buckeyes’ leader is betting on his guys — betting that the lessons from film, the grind from practice, and the accountability within the locker room will translate into the kind of physical, dominant football that wins in November.
“We’ve got the right people,” Day said. “It’s just about getting better every week. We’ll get there — I have no doubt.”
It’s a message of belief wrapped in challenge. A demand for more, but also a vote of confidence. And in the world of college football, where championships are built in the trenches, it might just be the spark Ohio State needs to turn potential into power.
