Ryan Day is picking apart Alabama’s carcass following Nick Saban retirement

Nov 30, 2019; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day before the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

The retirement of Nick Saban put Alabama in a difficult spot, and nobody is capitalizing on the situation more than Ryan Day.

Day’s Ohio State Buckeyes on Sunday secured a commitment from top 2024 quarterback recruit Julian Sayin, who had previously enrolled at Alabama briefly. Sayin is just the latest player to leave the Crimson Tide for the Buckeyes.

Prior to Sayin transferring to Ohio State, safety Caleb Downs made the move from Alabama to Ohio State. Former Alabama center Seth McLaughlin also transferred to Ohio State, though that occurred before Saban had retired.

As if the three former Crimson Tide members ending up at Ohio State weren’t enough, the Buckeyes also have added Bill O’Brien as their new offensive coordinator. O’Brien had previously served as Alabama’s offensive coordinator in 2021 and 2022.

Ohio State and Day seem to have extra motivation after finishing 11-2 three seasons in a row and losing to Michigan all three years. Not only have they aggressively added the Alabama players, but they also added transfer quarterback Will Howard.

Day’s additions come at a time when Michigan is losing several players to the NFL Draft and possibly going to lose Jim Harbaugh to the pros. It also comes as Alabama gets weakened by Saban’s retirement.

Day saw an opportunity to take advantage and is seizing the moment.