The Opening Drive 3/27: The Buckeyes Add More NFL Experience and Pro Day Brings the NFL to Columbus
Ryan Day Continues Adding NFL Experience and the NFL Gets a Close Look at the 2026 Draft Eligible Buckeyes.
Ryan Day Goes Back to the NFL Ranks to Add Depth to His Staff
Ohio State, under Ryan Day, has recently found success with going to the NFL ranks to fill open coaching vacancies. This week has seen one new addition become official and another seem to be on the brink of occurring, and both come from the NFL ranks. OSU added Joe Kim to the staff this week. Kim brings with him 32 years of coaching experience. He is considered to be a pass rushing “guru.” Kim began his coaching career in 1992 with the Cleveland Browns. He has spent time with 11 NFL clubs with job titles fluctuating between skill development and pass rush consultant. Kim was on the Patriots staff with current OSU defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. One interesting note about Kim is that he is a highly regarded teacher of taekwondo. This background allows him to teach his players body leverage and attacking weak points. At OSU, he will be working with an extremely talented yet young group of pass rushers. Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and Beau Atkinson being the only two players in that room who saw meaningful minutes for the Buckeyes last season.
OSU is also rumored to be hiring former Pittsburgh Steelers quality control coach Jason Brooks. It is presumed that he will be working with the front seven of the defensive unit, when the hire is made official. Brooks has spent the last three seasons in Pittsburgh, and also had two stints with the Baltimore Ravens. Brooks is connected to the OSU staff via new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Brooks was originally an offensive analyst with the Ravens before finding his groove on the defensive side of the football.
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The NFL Visits Columbus for Pro Day
It’s no secret that this draft has the potential to be epic for the Buckeyes, with many mock drafts having four Buckeyes going in the top 10 picks. On Wednesday seventeen former Buckeyes went through some portion of the pro day grind. Pro day, much like the NFL combine, is not what it used to be. In the past players who didn’t participate in the measurable drills would do so at their pro day. Now we are seeing players not do those drills at either event. I understand the injury concern, but as someone who loves the draft process almost as much as recruiting I can’t say that I love it. While all eyes were on Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, Caleb Downs, and Carnell Tate, pro day did allow Kayden McDonald, Max Klare, and IGB to garner attention too. All 32 NFL clubs were represented at the WHAC with five teams having both their GM and head coach present. Those teams were the Steelers, Bills, Giants, Jets, and Commanders. The Giants, Jets, and Commanders all hold top 10 picks while the Steelers and Bills pick in the 20’s. Wednesday also gave the NFL a chance to see Buckeye QB’s Julian Sayin and Tavien St. Clair show off while throwing passes to Tate, Max Klare, and Will Kacmarek. While OSU does not release any official results from testing for us to share there honestly weren’t a lot of measurable drills completed. The draft prospects will spend the next month visiting and interviewing with teams. The NFL draft begins on Thursday April 23rd with the first round. Rounds 2 and 3 will be Friday the 24th, followed by rounds 4 through 7 on Saturday the 25th.
Jeremy’s Memorabilia Item of the Day
I don’t have a single item for you today, instead I have the chance to get your item signed by 15 former and current Buckeyes! On Saturday and Sunday at the Great Northern Mall in North Olmstead the following members of the 2025 team will be signing autographs:
Caden Curry
Kayden Mcdonald
Tywone Malone Jr.
Devin Sanchez
Luke Montgomery
Lorenzo Styles Jr.
Sonny Styles
Jaylen McClain
Payton Pierce
Carson Hinzman
Phillip Daniels
David Adolph
Isaiah West
Will Smith Jr.
Brandon Inniss
Get your autograph tickets here
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