Ohio State coach Ryan Day has revealed that the team is exploring the possibility of signing NFL players to their roster, citing the new 5-for-5 waiver that allows colleges to add players late in the season.
Ryan Day acknowledged the new world of college football and the potential for teams to gain an advantage by adding players who have been cut from NFL rosters. "I told myself I would stop saying this is crazy. So I’m not gonna say that," Day said. "But to think that we’re in a situation where we’re this late in the season, and our rosters are not locked in is frustrating at the very least."
The 5-for-5 waiver has created uncertainty around college athletics, allowing schools like Ohio State to potentially add players who have been cut from NFL teams. Day has had conversations with Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti about this issue, and is considering the possibility of signing NFL players to improve his roster. "We gotta do what’s right for Ohio State," Day said.
Day's comments suggest that Ohio State is not ruling out the possibility of signing NFL players, despite entering the season as the No. 1 team in the country. The team has already set high expectations and lofty goals for the season, but Day's openness to adding players could be a strategic move to stay ahead of the competition.
The ever-changing landscape of college athletics can change at any moment, and Day's comments reflect the uncertainty that comes with it. "When I heard that, we were in a meeting, and someone says, 'LSU just got a commitment from the Browns’ tight end.' I said, ' We are certainly in a different world right now,' "Day said.
Ohio State's decision to explore the possibility of signing NFL players could have implications for the rest of the college football season. If the team is able to add players who have been cut from NFL rosters, it could give them a competitive advantage over other teams. However, the 5-for-5 waiver is only in place until the conference or NCAA level decides on specific guidelines.
The Big Ten Conference and the NCAA have yet to comment on the 5-for-5 waiver and its implications for college football. However, it's clear that Ohio State is taking a proactive approach to exploring the possibility of signing NFL players. As the season gets underway, it will be interesting to see how this issue plays out and whether other teams follow Ohio State's lead.
The Buckeyes enter the 2026 season with high expectations and a solidified roster, but Day's comments suggest that they are not ruling out the possibility of making further changes. The team's decision to explore the possibility of signing NFL players could be a strategic move to stay ahead of the competition and achieve their lofty goals for the season.
Source: Yahoo Sports