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Jeremiah Smith, Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and Jaylen McClain Are Pro Football Focus’ Highest-Graded Ohio State Players Against Iowa​

The Top Three​

1. WR Jeremiah Smith (89.6)​

For the second straight week, Smith had double-digit receptions and over 200 yards receiving. His grades of 88.3 in receiving and 89.6 in overall offense were the highest of any player in the nation with 10-plus receptions in Week 5.

Another nation-leading mark for Smith in Week 5 was his 206 receiving yards, making him the first Ohio State receiver to have back-to-back games with over 200 receiving yards. For the season, Smith has PFF's highest grades in the nation in offense (94.9) and receiving (94.5).

This is the fourth straight week PFF has ranked Ohio State's Heisman hopeful as a top-three player on the team.

2. DE Kenyatta Jackson Jr. (82.5)​

Jackson earned a pass-rushing grade of 90.8 against Iowa, the highest for any player in the Big Ten. The defensive end forced a fumble on a 13-yard sack on the second play of the game, backing up his words after he said the Buckeye defense would bounce back from a “terrible” performance against Illinois.

3. S Jaylen McClain (78.3)​

With a season tackling grade of 90.7, McClain leads the Big Ten and is ranked fourth in the nation in this category. He is just shy of being No. 1 in the nation, as a pair of North Texas players have the top spot with a grade of 91.0.

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Ryan Day Radio Show: Ryan Day Calls Maryland “A Talented and Dangerous Team,” Says Ohio State Is “The Best Place in the Country”​

Ryan Day​

On building momentum after the Iowa win​

• “We had a good Tuesday practice. Good practice (on Wednesday). What matters is what it looks like on Saturday.”
• “You saw guys moving around the facility a little different.”
• “Good look in their eye.”

On Ohio State’s defense vs. Iowa​

• Day said Ohio State’s defensive tackles stepped up against Iowa.
• “A step in the right direction, for sure.”
• “There were some really good things there.”
• “It was a good team win overall.”
• “Collectively, to go on the road and win a game like that matters.”

On Ohio State’s offensive game plan vs. Iowa​

• Day said “it takes a lot of work during the week” to game plan for an opponent.
• Day said Ohio State wants to be a “moving target” offensively, especially with Jeremiah Smith. Keeping Smith moving and the defense guessing is critical, Day said.
• Day said Ohio State is chasing completions and positive runs.

On Jeremiah Smith’s performance against Iowa​

• Day said Smith has improved his route running and can line up at X, Z and slot for the Buckeyes.
• “He’s improved his route tree. Because of that, we’re able to do more things with him and target him more.”
• Day said Ohio State will keep expanding Smith’s route tree as the season continues and find more ways to get the ball in his hands.

On the crowd noise at Kinnick​

• Day said Ohio State cannot have “self-inflicted wounds” like false start penalties moving forward.
• The Buckeyes had four false starts against the Hawkeyes. “We cannot have that.”
• Day said the offensive line's discipline will be crucial for the Buckeyes for the rest of the season, as Ohio State doesn’t have an easy game left on the schedule.

On building depth throughout the season​

• “You got to get on the field and play.”
• “It takes time.”
• “I think you're starting to see these guys really take some big strides.”
• “We got to keep accelerating their growth and production.”

On Qua Russaw’s performance against Iowa​

• “He’s building more confidence.”
• “Things are slowing down for him.”
• Day said Russaw set the edge well in the run game and had great bull rushes in the pass game.
• “Best game to date.”

On Maryland’s offense, tempo​

• “These guys play with a lot of tempo.”
• “One of the fastest-playing teams in the country.”
• Day said Ohio State’s defense needs to align, communicate and use great technique to stop Maryland’s offense. “All those things come into play.”
• “This attack is very, very different than the one we had last week.”
• “This week is all about attacking this tempo.”

On Ohio State developing youth, that youth earning playing time​

• “We have a lot of young players on our team, and a lot of young players who are gonna be playing this weekend. That’s significant.”
• “We have a lot of young players, and a lot of really talented young players. I think when you look at some of the young guys in the program right now — as talented as we’ve had, which is great.”
• “When you have young players, there are a lot of things that come into play. One is just overall inexperience. There’s nothing that replaces reps, so we got to get them reps in practice and then obviously reps in games. And we got to play some of that stuff.”
• “When it comes to the maturity of getting playing time, earning positions, there’s this fine line that you have to really try to balance. First off, as a coach, it’s your responsibility to make sure that they’re coming along and growing. And then it’s the players' responsibility to do their part. If the coaches or the older guys are gonna hold their hand the whole way, they’re never gonna learn on their own. You can give them a fish and teach them how to fish.
• “But at the same time, we can’t just leave them for their own. We have to show them the way. We have to sometimes bring them along and help them. It’s this fine line. Our guys learn quickly. Everyone is on their own journey along the way. But everyone came here to play, and that’s the goal. It’s this challenge to both the player, the coaches and the leaders to make sure we’re bringing guys along and allowing them an opportunity to earn playing time.”

On Maryland​

• “Very good-looking team. Talented team.”
• “They have size up front. Skill on the outside. Speed.”
• “Coaching staff that has very good experience.”
• “Quarterback that’s a dual-threat.”
• “I know they had a couple of tough games here recently, but man they’re a talented and dangerous team. They have all our attention, I can tell you that.”

On Maryland wide receiver Chris Durr Jr., the Terrapins’ offense​

• “Real speed.”
• “They can create explosives fast.”
• “They have a combination of guys that can really get vertical and run downhill.”
• “This is an important week for us.”

On Ohio State’s 9:30 drive to end the game​

• “Anytime you can finish the game when you start the ball with 9:30 minutes to go and you end with the ball in your hand, that’s a heck of a drive.”
• “Part of that’s protection.”
• “Part of that’s the run game.”

On the tradition at Ohio State​

• “We have an obligation to win that dang game because of how many people are counting on us.”
• When Lachey told Day he’s probably had moments wondering if he really wanted to become a head coach, Day laughed and said, “You think so? Yeah. Yeah.”
• “I look a lot different than I did 100 games ago because 100 games feels like 100 years ago.”
• Day loves the tradition and history of Ohio State football. “A lot has changed, but one thing’s for sure: it’s bigger than all of us. Bigger than any one player, which is why we have to keep our culture at the forefront of everything we do. I’m sure everybody has pride in their program, pride in their school, pride in what they do, but I think this is the best place in the country. We can’t change that for anything or anyone. That’s coaches and players included because of what the obligation is and what we have to do each week.”

Thump said:

Only surprise was that it took them so long to unfoil our plot at world domination.

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brodybuck21 said:

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SEREbuckeye said:

It’s pretty easily to guard Julio Moss:

Set your feet. Square your shoulders. Transfer to a new conference.

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osuvictory1 said:

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