Urban Meyer admits Ryan Day has confirmed to him the Ohio State Buckeyes have to sometimes miss out on players for the bigger picture

From his vantage as both Ohio State’s former head coach and current football analyst, Urban Meyer recently praised head coach Ryan Day and general manager Mark Pantoni, stating that “Ohio State … has never been more cautious about what they bring into that program” . Meyer emphasized that the Buckeyes’ talent pipeline is already so deep and elite that the priority is no longer simply acquiring players, but ensuring each recruit fits the team’s culture and core values.

In his words:

“Do not take that person if they can disrupt the culture; don’t do it.”

This kind of strategic selectivity—opting to forego talented athletes in favor of protecting team cohesion—is a significant cultural shift for a program known historically for chasing its most highly rated recruits. And yet, as Meyer notes, it’s an evolution born of success: Ohio State’s recruiting class regularly ranks in the top five nationally, and the Buckeyes have just delivered another National Championship via an impressive postseason run .

Meyer contrasted this approach with earlier practices—even in his own tenure—where top-tier recruits were sometimes passed over for failing to meet standards off the field (like character or work ethic), despite possessing elite ability. That willingness to say no to skilled players who might weaken locker-room culture is now a cornerstone of Day’s recruiting model.

This sense of cultural stewardship resonates deeply across the program. Meyer specifically pointed to how sometimes, in pursuit of skill, schools might pick up a player whose attitude or habits don’t mesh with everything the program stands for. But “we’re not going to change our culture”, Meyer insisted, even if it means letting gifted recruits go elsewhere .

That statement leads to several broader insights into how Day and Pantoni are steering the program:

• Identity over Talent: The Buckeyes aim to build a roster not just stacked with five-stars, but filled with reliable, team-first personalities who understand Ohio State’s expectations.
• Holistic Recruiting: Meyer recalled his own criteria—competitiveness, academics, family background, and character—all weighed alongside physical ability . Day’s system appears to mirror that broader lens.
• NIL Era Adaptation: While modern college football is heavily influenced by NIL deals, Meyer underscored that Ohio State still prioritizes players who genuinely want to be Buckeyes, not just chasing money .
• Avoiding Cultural Drift: Meyer warned against bringing in someone who might “disrupt the culture.” Long-term success is built on continuity, stability, and shared values, not transient talent spikes that fracture the locker room.

In essence, talent remains a prerequisite—but Day’s administration is choosing talent with alignment.

This shift is particularly relevant given the personnel and circumstances of the 2024–25 rosters:

• OSU endured a fourth straight loss to Michigan earlier in 2024 under Day, challenging some fans’ faith. Yet the Buckeyes rebounded to capture the National Championship, showcasing resilience and team unity .
• The talent pool has never been deeper. Meyer himself called the 2024 roster “one of the most talented ever,” while Jim Tressel echoed the sentiment:
  

  “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen that many great players in that building all at once” .

• To complement the talent, Day and Pantoni’s transfer portal strategy has grown more aggressive—meticulously adding experienced players (like Caleb Downs and Julian Sayin) who fit the system and culture .
• The coaching staff has also seen intentional changes, with hires like Chip Kelly and targeted portal additions signaling a more flexible and focused assembly of staff and roster .

All of this frames Day’s program as talent-rich yet temperament-wise discerning, growing increasingly selective as it chases sustained success.

Meyer isn’t just focused on recruiting; he also has cautioned about the perils of success itself. He’s explained that after winning a national championship, complacency can creep into both players and coaches . Drawing parallels to championship coaches like Chicago Cubs’ Joe Maddon, Meyer warns that back‑to‑back titles demand extra vigilance, and that Day’s top challenge may lie in maintaining drive amid excellence .

Meyer noted that while replacing key players is critical, it’s equally important to ensure that every part of the program—from staff to support staff—remains hungry and focused .

On social media—particularly Reddit—OSU fans show a range of views. Some contend that Day’s talent-plus-culture philosophy is working, especially in big recruiting classes and portal success . Others, however, point to pressure around big games, questioning Day’s record against elite competition and his ability to beat Michigan consistently .

This is exactly the kind of tension Meyer referenced: a roster that’s stacked but challenged every week to consistently execute at the highest level.

Meyer’s reference to “missing out on players” doesn’t imply recruiting failure. Instead, it means the program deliberately passed on highly-rated prospects because they didn’t meet the intangible criteria—whether that be attitude, work ethic, alignment with team-first values, or locker room harmony . Ohio State didn’t compromise its cultural standards, even at the risk of losing talent. That is, they chose integrity and cohesion over pure ability.

Based on Meyer’s insights, here’s what lies ahead:

1. Maintaining Relentlessness: With a National Championship in hand, Day must ensure neither the roster nor staff settles.
2. Cultural Vetting: The coaching staff will likely continue scrutinizing recruits and portal additions closely, keeping character and fit at the forefront.
3. Channeling Talent: Having assembled one of the greatest collections of talent, the challenge now moves to deploying that talent creatively and effectively on game day.
4. Sustaining Identity: Meyer stresses that preserving the Buckeyes’ cultural DNA—mandating accountability, selflessness, and toughness—is more important than adding one more five-star.

Urban Meyer’s endorsement of Ryan Day isn’t a passive commendation—it’s a strategic nod to a program that’s evolving with intention. No longer is the sole aim to stack talent; the more crucial goal is to stack talent that thrives within a competitive, disciplined, purpose-driven environment.

Meyer’s influence remains subtle but meaningful. By prioritizing cultural cohesion, rigorously evaluating character, and resisting the temptation to compromise for skill alone, Day and Pantoni are preserving Ohio State’s identity—even as their talent has never been more elite.

• Meyer praises Day’s caution, stating Ohio State is more careful than ever about who they recruit .
• Talent remains elite, but now it’s partnered with cultural scrutiny and cohesion.
• Meyer highlighted that passing on talented recruits who don’t fit is essential for long-term success .
• He warns against complacency post-championship, advising Day to maintain focus at all levels .
• Fans remain divided, pleased by dominance but critical in big games .
• The program’s future success relies as much on culture and character as on physical talent.

Urban Meyer’s comments reflect a deliberate shift in Ohio State’s approach—one that blends best‑in‑class talent with a deep commitment to preserving identity, discipline, and unity. If successful, it could become the blueprint for long-term dominance in college football.