Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Episode: THE HERD - Hour 3 - Ohio State HC Ryan Day stops by The Herd
Date: March 30, 2026
Host: Colin Cowherd (Fox Sports Radio, iHeartPodcasts, The Volume)
Special Guest: Ryan Day, Head Coach, Ohio State Football
Episode Overview
This episode’s main theme centers on the rapidly evolving landscape of college sports, focusing especially on Ohio State football. Colin Cowherd interviews Ohio State Head Coach Ryan Day, diving deep into the dynamics of the transfer portal, NIL (Name, Image, Likeness), player development, NFL Draft prospects, and the shifting power within college football and basketball. The conversation features direct insights from Coach Day on player versatility, the challenges and opportunities of NIL, and how Ohio State is navigating this changing environment as a perennial powerhouse.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The Caleb Downs Impact (04:23)
- Colin Cowherd lauds Caleb Downs as potentially underappreciated in mock drafts, calling him a “Pro Bowl player” and questioning what makes him special beyond stats.
- Ryan Day responds:
- Downs is “impactful in all phases”—equally adept against the run and in coverage.
- His “impact on the guys around him” sets him apart: strong communicator, elevates teammates.
- NFL scouts at Ohio State’s pro day praised Downs’ maturity and intelligence, likening him to a seasoned NFL veteran despite his youth.
“He might have just turned 21 years old, but it was like talking to somebody who’d been in the NFL for a long time.” (Ryan Day, 04:23)
Arvell Reese’s Position & Versatility (06:01)
- Cowherd questions Reese’s lack of a defined position and its implications at the pro level.
- Day details Reese’s journey:
- Initially a linebacker, spent time at defensive end, now moved back.
- Praises Reese’s “versatility,” “length, power,” and “mindset.”
- Acknowledges Reese is only 20 with room for growth, and flexible for NFL schemes.
“He can run and hit, he has great length, and he certainly can play in the pass game.” (Ryan Day, 06:01)
Carnell Tate & Ohio State’s Wide Receiver Reputation (07:44)
- Cowherd: Labels Carnell Tate as the only true “NFL 1” WR in the draft; highlights OSU's WR legacy.
- Day: Tate is a unique blend of Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Jameson Williams.
- “Length…route runner…strong hands…intelligent…very good football IQ.”
- Clean route running will translate easily to the NFL.
“He’ll be a number one wide receiver at any team he walks into.” (Ryan Day, 07:44)
Sonny Styles - Positional Hybrid (08:53)
- Cowherd asks for a pro comp for Styles.
- Day: Likens Sonny Styles to Luke Kuechly (shared background at safety and then linebacker, high football IQ).
- Cites athleticism and ability to quickly diagnose plays; versatility a big plus.
“[Sonny] understands how it all fits back there, just like Luke did.” (Ryan Day, 08:53)
- Cites athleticism and ability to quickly diagnose plays; versatility a big plus.
Quarterback Assessments: Fernando Mendoza (09:44)
- Cowherd: Mendoza at Cal was exceptional late in games; asks what stands out on tape.
- Day: Mendoza has “tremendous size,” surprisingly strong as a runner and highly clutch as a passer.
- Praises his composure, intelligence, processing, and consistency.
“He seems like a guy that has a lot of intelligence and command.” (Ryan Day, 10:21)
- Praises his composure, intelligence, processing, and consistency.
NFL & Draft: Ruben Bain and Arm Length (11:15)
- Cowherd: Discusses the obsession with arm length for edge rushers.
- Day: You have to “look at everything” but prioritizes “production, competitiveness, toughness.”
“Nothing’s more important than production and competitiveness.” (Ryan Day, 11:24)
NIL & Evolving College Football Landscape (12:22)
- Cowherd asks about the stress and constant adaptivity with NIL.
- Day: Emphasizes adaptation (“If we don’t adapt, we die”) and the necessity for coaches to figure out ever-changing NIL/revenue-sharing processes.
“Anyone who wants to throw up their hands and walk away, that’s not going to work. So we got to solve the problem. That’s the bottom line.” (Ryan Day, 12:22)
- Despite changes, “relationships” and recruiting character still central.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Player Leadership:
“What makes great players is when they make the guys around them better. He does that…getting everybody into the right call.”
(Ryan Day on Caleb Downs, 04:23) -
On Adaptability:
“If we don’t adapt, we die. That’s just how it works…I had a chance on a flight to watch that Netflix documentary on dinosaurs, and the dinosaurs that didn’t adapt—they all died off.”
(Ryan Day, 12:22) -
On the importance of production over measurables:
“Nothing’s more important than production and competitiveness.”
(Ryan Day, 11:24) -
On the uniqueness of NIL:
“Anytime you introduce something to a market and it’s radically different…the behavior is going to be choppy and ugly.”
(Colin Cowherd, 28:23)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Opening, NIL/transfer balance, introducing Ryan Day – 02:43–04:23
- Caleb Downs impact and maturity – 04:23–05:14
- Arvell Reese’s position and athletic profile – 05:14–07:05
- Ohio State as WRU, Carnell Tate’s skillset – 07:05–08:37
- Sonny Styles’ NFL comp, Luke Kuechly comparison – 08:37–09:44
- Fernando Mendoza’s tape, what stands out – 09:44–11:15
- Arm length and evaluating Ruben Bain – 11:15–11:53
- NIL realities, adapting as a coach, recruiting in new era – 11:53–13:08
Tone & Style
The conversation was candid, analytical, and competitive. Cowherd was probing and direct, often referencing industry narratives and NFL-level comparisons. Ryan Day was calm, insightful, and honest about the challenges and excitement of the present/future for college football.
Additional Context
- This episode emphasized how much the world of college sports has changed due to NIL, the transfer portal, and player development, with Ohio State as the model of successful adaptation.
- Colin indirectly forecasts Ohio State’s heavy presence in the first round of the NFL Draft, underlining their “powerhouse” status.
- Several running themes: the value of versatility and intelligence in players, coaching adaptability, and the need for accountability in college football’s future.
This summary comprehensively covers all analysis and insights from the main Colin Cowherd and Ryan Day segment. For those interested in understanding Ohio State’s philosophy and the future of college football, it’s a must-listen episode—and this overview provides all the essential takeaways.