COLUMBUS, OH – The Ohio State Buckeyes football program has long been considered one of the premier programs in the country, and it’s not just college coaches who are taking notice.

COLUMBUS, OH – The Ohio State Buckeyes football program has long been considered one of the premier programs in the country, and it’s not just college coaches who are taking notice.

NFL coaches are also paying attention, and one coach in particular is enamored with the Buckeyes and their head coach, Ryan Day.

 

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has been singing the praises of Ohio State football and Ryan Day, and it’s easy to see why. The Buckeyes have been one of the most consistent programs in the country, producing talented players and competing for national championships on a regular basis.

 

“It’s incredible,” O’Connell said of Ohio State’s program. “The way they develop players, the way they coach, the way they recruit – it’s all top-notch. Ryan Day is a phenomenal coach, and I think he’s one of the best in the business.”

 

O’Connell’s admiration for Ohio State and Day is not just based on the team’s on-field success. He’s also impressed with the way the program develops players and prepares them for the NFL.

 

“The way they develop quarterbacks, in particular, is impressive,” O’Connell said. “They’ve had a string of talented quarterbacks come through the program, and it’s clear that they’re doing something right. The way they teach the position, the way they prepare guys for the next level – it’s all very impressive.”

 

O’Connell’s Vikings have benefited from Ohio State’s talent pipeline, having drafted former Buckeyes wide receiver K.J. Hill in the 7th round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Hill has been a valuable contributor to the Vikings’ offense, and O’Connell credits Ohio State’s coaching staff for helping to prepare him for the NFL.

 

“K.J. came in here and was ready to go from day one,” O’Connell said. “He was well-coached, he was prepared, and he was ready to contribute. That’s a testament to the job that Ryan Day and his staff do at Ohio State.”

 

O’Connell’s admiration for Ohio State and Day is not unique. Many NFL coaches and executives have similar praise for the Buckeyes’ program, and it’s clear that Ohio State is one of the premier programs in the country.

 

As for Day, he’s grateful for the praise from O’Connell and other NFL coaches. However, he’s quick to deflect the attention and credit his coaching staff and players for the program’s success.

 

“It’s a team effort,” Day said. “We’ve got a great coaching staff, and we’ve got talented players who work hard every day. We’re just trying to do our best and compete at the highest level.”

 

Regardless of who gets the credit, one thing is clear: Ohio State’s football program is one of the best in the country, and Ryan Day is one of the top coaches in the business. And with NFL coaches like Kevin O’Connell singing their praises, it’s clear that the Buckeyes are here to stay.

 

_Ohio State’s NFL Pipeline:_

 

– 2019: Nick Bosa (DE), Dwayne Haskins (QB), Parris Campbell (WR)

– 2020: Chase Young (DE), Jeff Okudah (CB), J.K. Dobbins (RB), K.J. Hill (WR)

– 2021: Justin Fields (QB), Shaun Wade (CB), Wyatt Davis (G), Trey Sermon (RB)

 

_Ohio State’s Coaching Staff:_

 

– Ryan Day (Head Coach)

– Kevin Wilson (Offensive Coordinator)

– Kerry Coombs (Defensive Coordinator)

– Al Washington (Linebackers Coach)

– Matt Barnes (Special Teams Coordinator)