The 2026 NFL Draft had its fair share of wild moments, but honestly, Ryan Day’s little dig at Nick Saban stole the show for a lot of fans. Ohio State’s head coach went for a laugh, tossing out a preplanned jab at the legendary Saban, and social media just ran with it.
All this happened as the Buckeyes were knee-deep in spring practice, still riding the emotional waves from the NFL Draft. Meanwhile, their basketball team’s recent struggles were fresh on everyone’s mind.
So, what actually happened? Let’s get into the details and see where Ohio State sports stand right now.
Ryan Day’s Pre-NFL Draft Humor
Before the NFL Draft even got rolling, Ryan Day was already stirring the pot. He joined the ESPN College GameDay crew—Kirk Herbstreit, Nick Saban, the whole gang—to chat about his former players and the future.
When the conversation turned to Caleb Downs, who’d just transferred from Alabama to Ohio State, Day couldn’t help himself. He slipped in a playful shot at Saban, and honestly, who wouldn’t?
The Zinger
Day joked that Caleb Downs was “a mess” when he showed up at Ohio State, poking fun at Alabama’s coaching in a way only coaches can get away with. The crew cracked up, even Saban, which was honestly nice to see—these guys are usually so serious.
Day later admitted he’d planned the joke ahead of time. Sometimes you just need to break the tension with a laugh, especially on draft day.
Caleb Downs’ Journey
Caleb Downs came out of Mill Creek High School in Georgia as a five-star prospect, and he didn’t waste time making his mark at Alabama. In 2023, he led the Crimson Tide in tackles as a freshman—a first for the program, which is kind of wild.
But after Saban retired, Downs hit the transfer portal. He landed at Ohio State, and, well, he didn’t slow down.
Achievements at Ohio State
Here’s what Downs did with the Buckeyes:
- 150 total tackles
- 12.5 tackles for loss
- 1.5 sacks
- Eight passes defended
- Four interceptions
- Two forced fumbles
He picked up the Thorpe Award, the Lott IMPACT Trophy, and was twice named a unanimous All-American. Not bad, right?
Downs helped Ohio State win the 2024 national championship, which just adds to his story. He did slide out of the top 10 in the NFL Draft, but the Cowboys grabbed him at 11th overall. Now he’s got a four-year, fully guaranteed $28.9 million deal. Not too shabby for a guy who was “a mess.”
Ohio State’s Spring Practice and Upcoming Season
With the draft in the rearview, the Buckeyes are already grinding through spring practice, looking ahead to the 2026 season. There’s some optimism, but nobody’s pretending the work is done.
The roster looks strong, and the coaching staff seems locked in. Still, it’s college football—nothing’s ever truly settled, is it?
Key Players to Watch
So, who’s going to step up?
- Quarterback – The Buckeyes have a few guys battling for the starting job. That’s always a circus, but it keeps things interesting.
- Defensive Line – With Kayden McDonald gone, someone’s got to step up and fill that gap. There’s talent, but we’ll see who rises.
- Wide Receivers – If there’s one thing Ohio State does, it’s churn out great receivers. This year shouldn’t be any different, honestly.
Ohio State Basketball’s Offseason
While football gets most of the attention, the basketball team’s offseason has been anything but quiet. They made the NCAA Tournament, sure, but bowed out in the first round. That stung, no way around it.
Now, the focus is on regrouping and reloading the roster.
Transfer Portal and Coaching Changes
The transfer portal’s closed, but that doesn’t mean Ohio State’s done hunting for talent. Associate head coach Jake Diebler has another job on his plate: replacing Joel Justus, who left for Vanderbilt.
Apparently, there’s no rush to fill that spot. Diebler’s taking his time, which, honestly, is probably the right move.
It’s all about building the right team and getting the new faces to mesh. Next season’s going to be interesting—hopefully, the results are better.
Stay Updated with Ohio State Sports
There’s always something going on in Ohio State sports. One minute, it’s the drama of the NFL Draft; the next, everyone’s talking about football season or the basketball team’s latest moves.
If you’re a fan, you probably don’t want to miss out. It might be worth subscribing to our newsletter or following us on social media for the latest updates and a few behind-the-scenes insights.
Want more details or just curious about what’s next? You can catch the full article over at 247 Sports.
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