When the 2020 college football season ended on January 11 in the loss to Alabama in the College Football Playoff national championship game, Ryan Day made it clear that his Ohio state team needed a break. While the Buckeyes participated in a shorter season in terms of the number of games compared to other teams, this year’s mental and physical exhaustion of the COVID-19 took its toll.
Since the national championship, the team has had that chance. Day and his family, for example, stayed in Florida for a few days before traveling north to Day’s home state of New Hampshire for a few more days. But then he went back to Colombo.
In 2021, Scarlet and Gray do not have the normal urgency of the signing day when it comes to recruiting in January, as in previous years, thanks to all 21 commitments signed during the initial signing period. This, combined with the need for a break, means a more relaxed atmosphere around Woody Hayes Athletic Center now.
“We’re kind of getting everyone out of here after a long, long journey,” said Day. “I think it’s very important for everyone to just take a deep breath and get away from each other. We missed our families, the players missed their families and we got tired of looking at each other in the past few months. So, the guys are still reloading. “
But as it always is in college football, nothing lasts long and the downtime for Ohio State players and coaches will soon end.
For the newest Buckeyes crop, the adjustment to college football has begun. Entering the bettor Jesse Mirco, who arrived from Australia a few weeks before the rest of his class, 14 members of Scarlet and Gray’s 2021 class went to Columbus and settled at Ohio State over the weekend.
Due to the COVID-19 protocols, these players will have to go through a quarantine period before starting training and have no other students on campus, which means a different type of adaptation period from the freshmen of the past.
“We’re starting to get some of our mid-year guys here, 14 mid-year guys this weekend, which is exciting,” said Day. “They need to be quarantined for a week before they can do anything . They have already started virtual classes, which is great for them. I’m really excited for them to start. Very unique situation for them to be here without students, quarantine. It is not ideal. “
It was not the ideal norm for Buckeyes throughout 2020. Last year, Scarlet and Gray had their spring training canceled after just two workouts, were unable to do normal summer workouts and were unsure of when their season would start or if it would even happen until September.
As the state of Ohio waits for a more traditional off-season this time, Day recalled that nothing has changed when it comes to COVID-19 just because the 2020 season is over and his team must do what has made them successful and available in recent months. , including regulars testing and avoiding situations that could expose players and coaches to the virus.
“I am very proud of our entire program, not only of winning the Big Ten championship, of moving forward and reaching the national championship, but of the fact that we really followed the protocol to keep our guys safe and did a great job with that. “Said Day.” We don’t make way. We worked hard to make sure our boys were safe, but also to compete ”.
This will be the approach going forward until the team receives a change in authorizations and protocols. But when will progress begin?
While Buckeyes usually get back to work quickly after the season, Day wanted his players to have time. But it won’t be long before everyone is together again. Returning players will join their new teammates here on campus in the coming days and then winter training with strength coach Mickey Marotti begins.
“As soon as February 1st comes around, we’ll start working on the off-season weightlifting program with Mick again, and then we’ll get into the spring ball when we get in March,” said Day. “COVID didn’t leave, so we cannot suddenly start to return to normal. But the goal is: how quickly can we get back to normal? “
Although Day had no information about the Ohio State football team receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, when it does, it will take a load off players and coaches. Regardless, Buckeyes have a plan for how to conduct training and practice this winter and spring.
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Given that Scarlet and Gray have not had the same number of repetitions in the last year, due to the lack of spring practice, practices being canceled or transformed into walk-throughs during the season, etc., as the team would do in a normal and less off-season. game repetitions in the regular season, Day and his team are already formulating a plan for this spring to try to make up for lost players’ time.
“We are definitely going to look at a different spring model on how we are going to do this,” said the head coach. “I will try to make as many game situations as possible, for sure. And also the way the season ended a little later here, we don’t have spring break, so it’s going to be a little bit different. And we’re still working on it to organize it. We have a lot of weeks where we are going to work practically defined. We will finish this next week or later. “