Ohio State is expecting to get two key pieces on the offensive line back against UCLA this week.
After starting right tackle Phillip Daniels and rotational right guard Joshua Padilla missed the Purdue game with injury, Ryan Day said in his weekly Tuesday press conference that both men should get a "full week" of practice. Despite general criticism and some lapses, Day was "encouraged" by his offensive line's play against the Boilermakers.
Another unit Day thought took a stride was his running backs, though he said there are still fundamentals the coach thought could improve there. He gave several more evaluations of players, gave some standouts among young guys who played and talked about some recruiting strategy among myriad other topics.
- On former Tennessee turned UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava: "He's a tough player. He played tough in the playoff game here, and I'm watching him play the last few weeks, and man, he's physical. ... He's a competitor ... he's got a strong arm ... you watch him on the field, he's a warrior."
- Day said Ohio State has been filling out a ton of depth in its 2026 recruiting class to ensure its roster is "flush" long-term. "We're trying to make sure that we're in a good place with our roster as we head into December. ... We want to make sure that we're continually recruiting high school players that we can develop. ... We want to make sure that we're flush in all areas. That's with the top end, the starters ... and certainly the young guys."
- Ohio State expects a "full week" from Padilla and Daniels on the offensive line after they were out from injury the last few weeks, while Day feels Ethan Onianwa is coming along. "He played in the game, I thought he had some good movement in the run game. We'll see how this week goes. We're gonna keep pushing the envelope on it and keep grinding on it."
- Day said that you can't afford to have bad evaluations of prospects in modern recruiting. "We want to make sure we're turning over every stone to make sure we're right in our decisions."
- On Arvell Reese: "He was a very productive player in high school. ... He had that mindset when he walked in the door. And Arvell doesn't get distracted by noise. ... Arvell just focuses on what matters. ... He sat and watched Cody and watched Sonny, and now his atletic ability, his mindset ... has allowed him to play at a high level."
- On whether he's coached a linebacker as talented as Arvell: "Probably not. And Sonny (Styles) too."
- Day has enjoyed the big hits delivered by his secondary. "You got to set the tone early in the game. ... That's a part of our brand, that's a part of our identity is playing physical. ... Those are our culture clips (in film)."
- Day said that a lot of defenses have caught up to the no-huddle offense, and Ohio State's methodical pace "I think we had over 70 plays this last week, so that was great to get. ... It's just the way we operate. We operate out of the huddle. ... You look at it from a 20,000-foot view, you keep guys healthy for a long season. ... And when we're on the same page and we're efficient and we're executing at a high level, that's important. ... We're not just gonna (run tempo) to do it."
- On the offensive line: "There's two plays where we had a free runner. ... That's a scheme issue. ... One of the things about the run game is, it does take time to take effect. ... It comes down to fundamentals. We're gonna continue to try to create space. ... There's positives, but there's certainly things we've gotta get better. ... I can't sit here and say I'm disappointed (in the offensive line), I'm encouraged."
- Day praised Ohio State's running backs and feels all four in the rotation continued. "I thought that group took a step (against Purdue). ... That's what we're looking for."
- On who stood out among the young guys who played against the Boilermakers: "I thought Payton Pierce was excellent in the game ... really has taken the next step for us. ... I thought Bryson Rodgers played well ... made some nice blocks, some nice catches. ... It was good to see Ian in his first start, play well ... overall, it's a heck of a start."
- Day praised Eddrick Houston's recent play at defensive tackle, though Jason Moore handled himself well against Purdue and expects Tywone Malone Jr. to be back soon. "It was good to see him flash. He needs to be consistent. ... Which is what I think Eddrick has now kind of learned to do. ... Tywone, could he have played? Yes. But we decided to hold him."
- On the right guard position: "I think right now, where we stand right now, we're gonna split the duty there. That might change later today ... but that's where we are right now."
