It’s about who you know.
In the case of new Ohio State quarterbacks coach Ryan Day, the who is Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan - the NFL’s reigning MVP.
Day, a former quarterback who played for Chip Kelly at New Hampshire, spent the last two seasons in the NFL as Kelly’s quarterbacks coach in Philadelphia and San Francisco. His previous college gigs included stops at Temple, Florida and Boston College, where as a graduate assistant he struck up a friendship with Ryan.
Ryan was a mid-level prospect when he arrived at B.C. in 2003. He reshirted his freshman season and played behind Quinton Porter for a greater part of two seasons. Ryan would eventually dethrone Doug Floutie as the Eagles’ single-season touchdown leader and become the third overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft by the Falcons.
"Matt and I are still really close to this day," Day said during an appearance on the Urban Meyer Call-In Show on National Signing Day. "He's a special guy, for sure."
But Ryan isn't calling prospects nor hosting clinics. According to Land of 10, Day will use his knowledge of Ryan to emphasis the growth of a quarterback to recruits:
"His redshirt freshman year, we weren't sure he was going to play. We weren't sure he could do it," Day recalled. "But then he found his way through. Everybody has his own path."
Having spent three seasons with Ryan at BC, Day's sales pitch as it pertains to the star signal-caller likely will center around the evolution of 'Matty Ice'. Inheriting a loaded quarterback depth chart, questions from prospects inevitably will arise regarding potential playing time at Ohio State.
Day, however, can point to Ryan as proof that if you're good enough, you'll find a way to get on the field.
"That's the thing for quarterbacks that they all have to understand," Day said. "Especially here, these guys are recruited at a high level. But most of the quarterbacks, it takes time for them to work through it. Everybody has their own path. Some guys jump in right away, others it takes time. (Ryan's) is one that took some time."
Day will likely have to use his pitch in-house first. The Buckeyes’ quarterbacks depth chart includes the highly touted J.T. Barrett, Joe Burrow, Dwayne Haskins, Tate Martell and 5-star prospect Emory Jones.
Where else will Day’s pitch help? Atlanta. It’s part of his recruiting territory.
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