They thought Ryan Day was bluffing. After a 10-2 regular season and a championship run that silenced doubters, the man just went full casino boss. Now he’s out here flipping five-stars like real estate, stacking generational talent like it’s Jenga, and telling 134 other FBS programs: you better ante up. Forget the old Ohio State that “developed talent.” This new version? It develops, retains, brands, and cashes in like a Fortune 500 CEO. Day ain’t chasing bags—he’s building an empire in cleats. Look, Ryan Day’s true mastery shines off the field. Since his arrival, Ohio State’s classes ranked top five nationally every year. He blends pro schemes with personal connection, keeping in-state stars at home while luring national prospects with promises of NFL prep.
When On3’s Alex Gleitman dropped the latest intel, the smell of another Buckeye feast filled the room. Let’s start with the headline that’s got Eugene sweating and USC counting cash behind the scenes. Mater Dei wideout Kayden Dixon-Wyatt—remember the name—is set to make his college decision May 4 at 3:30 PM ET. A slick 6’2”, 185-pound WR with route-running smoother than Sunday brunch jazz, KDW is the realest WR in Cali. Ranked top-5 nationally by Rivals, The Cali wideout racked up 693 yards and 5 TDs in Division I play. It’s down to Ohio State, Oregon, USC, Texas, and Bama—but really, it’s Buckeyes vs. Ducks with the Trojans lurking like that ex who won’t go away.
Four top #OhioState targets are set to make their decision within the next month. Here’s my latest predictions on where they’ll announce for https://t.co/VDNsw8iy9T pic.twitter.com/crIZoc0yX5
— Alex Gleitman (@alexgleitman) May 3, 2025
KDW hit Columbus twice this spring. Spring game vibes were immaculate. OSU staff’s feeling cautiously good, but Oregon’s NIL pitch got that Nike money looking real pretty. According to Alex Gleitman’s “Gun to the head” prediction? Still leaning Buckeyes. But it ain’t a lock.
Now let’s talk generational. Jackson Cantwell, a freakish 6’8”, 315-pound offensive tackle from Nixa, MO. No. 1 overall recruit in 2026. Not OT1—like, THE No. 1. Rivals, ESPN, everybody’s nodding. 153 pancakes last year. Yes, 153. 1 rushing TD for the flex. This lineman might be a myth. His top 4? OSU, Oregon(obviously), Georgia, Miami. He’s dropping the pick on May 13, and right now, Buckeyes are looking like the 4th wheel. NIL rumors? Try $2 million a year. Oregon’s flexing hard. We ain’t expecting Day to win this one—but miracles happen, right?
Then there’s Jersey baller Jordan Thomas, a shutdown DB outta Bergen Catholic. No date yet, but decision’s coming by May-end. Visited Columbus twice. He’s got Michigan, USC, Notre Dame, Auburn, and Texas A&M sniffing, but OSU’s been at the top for a while. Unless some last-minute bag changes things, Ryan Day should seal this one. And it’d be huge—especially after USC snagged Elbert Hill.
And don’t sleep on in-state beast Favour Akih. A 6’0”, 195-pound tank outta Delaware (OH) Hayes. Top-10 RB in the country. OSU, USC, Miami are the trio, but let’s be real: when the hometown kings call, you answer. Miami’s been heavy, and the Trojans tried to get slick early, but OSU’s been all over him this spring. ‘If the hometown team offers, he picks them’—that’s the vibe from insiders. Buckeyes should get this W.
With all this movement, it’s no surprise OSU’s 2026 class low-key already ranked No. 3 in the country. 11 commits deep and counting. Mark Pantoni and Ryan Day are cooking.
Ryan Day’s $12 million gamble
In 2025, the price of staying elite ain’t cheap—it’s strategic warfare. And Ryan Day? Just dropped $12 million to show he ain’t playing fair. That salary puts him at the top tier of college football’s CEO club. And that’s before you add in the extra $2.5 million for ex-NFL guru Matt Patricia as DC. Ohio State isn’t just outspending—it’s out-planning. FOX’s RJ Young called it a “balloon year,” predicting schools like OSU, Texas, Bama, Georgia could be pushing $30–40 million in payroll.
“We’re going to see a balloon year because contracts are front-loaded before we get the House settlement,” RJ explained. “So we could see Ohio State, Texas, Alabama, Georgia spending close to 30, 40 million on salary this year. People expect that number to go down, but we’ll see.”
But it ain’t just the base pay. Ohio State baked in playoff incentives like a video game cheat code. 10% bonus for making the CFP. 20% for quarters. 25% for semis. 30% for a natty appearance. Win it all? Boom—35% bonus. “Really cool way to set up these contracts, making sure that people get paid what they’re worth but also incentivizing ‘Let’s do it again. Let’s run it back.’” RJ added.
What’s wild? Texas saw that blueprint and said “Bet.” The Longhorns are now prepping a $35–40 million roster, chasing Ohio State’s success formula—only louder, bigger, bolder. Arch Manning is their crown jewel. Sark wants to spend his way to confetti. Look, Money didn’t win OSU the natty. But a lack of it? “But you can definitely lose one if you don’t have enough money. That’s how I think you should start thinking about NIL. I would stop thinking about just how much people are spending, and I would start thinking about this is the cost to buy in—this is the cost to get to the table,”
That’s what separates Ryan Day’s program. They ain’t throwing cash at prospects for clout. They’re building systems—development, branding, continuity—that attract killers who want the league. And that’s what makes this a triple jackpot. Look, elite talent. Elite development. Elite pay. Ryan Day cashed in—now the rest of the country’s scrambling just to match the buy-in.
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