One of the more intriguing commitments in the Class of 2027 comes from a member of college football royalty. Ohio State head coach Ryan Day recently made some interesting recruiting visits—but they weren’t for the Buckeyes.
Instead, Day was supporting his son, R.J. Day, a quarterback who recently committed to Northwestern, keeping his college career in the Big Ten. That decision could eventually set up a father-son showdown, and Ryan Day already knows his son may have a slight edge when it comes to reading defenses.
Don’t expect Day to take it easy on his son, though, even if it means dealing with an unhappy wife after the game. The two could face each other as early as the 2027 season.
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day leads his team onto the field prior to the NCAA football game against the Texas Longhorns at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.
“I would have to disguise some things on him because he’s very good in terms of recognizing things,” Day said of R.J. on The Cover 3 Podcast. “So we’re going to have to show blitz one way, get him to check it, and then bring it to the other … [His mom] literally said, ‘If you play him and blitz him, I’m going to kick your [rear end].'”
Football families have produced some of the sport’s most entertaining storylines. In the NFL, Peyton Manning and his brother Eli Manning faced each other several times, and neither gave the other any favors.
Ryan Day and R.J. could create another memorable chapter if they meet over the next few seasons. It could also make for some interesting holiday dinners. Still, every father wants to see his child succeed, even if that success comes on the opposite sideline.
When the teams meet, however, sentiment will disappear. Day and Ohio State’s defense will throw everything they have at R.J. if he is Northwestern’s starting quarterback. The Buckeyes remain one of the nation’s premier programs and are expected to contend for the College Football Playoff for the foreseeable future.
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day and players celebrate with the trophy following the 34-23 win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to win the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 22, 2025. Credit: © Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
If R.J. were to lead Northwestern to an upset over Ohio State early in his career, it would instantly become one of the sport’s biggest storylines. For now, though, he still has plenty of time to develop before a potential meeting with his father’s program.
Meanwhile, Day and Ohio State remain focused on the 2026 season rather than a possible future family matchup. The Buckeyes enter the year as ESPN FPI’s number one-ranked team.
By the time R.J. lines up against Ohio State, he could be facing a Buckeyes team looking to defend another national championship. Possibly even continuing to build what could become college football’s next dynasty. The three star recruit has some time prepare between now and then.
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