"I remember grabbing him and grabbing his dad": Ryan Day reveals offering Quinn Ewers an Ohio State scholarship in eighth grade

The Ohio State Buckeyes will play the Texas Longhorns in the 2025 Cotton Bowl in the College Football Playoff semifinal on Friday. The Buckeyes are led by coach Ryan Day, who will be game-planning against Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers' who he's familiar with.

After high school, Ewers committed to Ohio State, and it was Day who awarded him a scholarship. Ewers skipped his senior year of high school to attend Ohio State early, but he eventually transferred to Texas.

Ahead of the Cotton Bowl, Day was asked about his recruitment of Ewers and he says he was one of the first eighth graders he ever offered.

“Well, he was one of the first eighth-graders that I ever offered,” Day said ahead of the Cotton Bowl, via On3. “He was in our camp here in the Woody [Hayes Athletic Center]. And I saw a young — he was a boy at the time, really, who just had a tremendous release.

“And I remember grabbing him and grabbing his dad and said: 'Man, you got a bright future ahead of you. I don’t know if this is good or bad, but we’re going to offer you a scholarship to Ohio State, even in eighth grade.'

"Again, I don’t know if that’s legal or not, but we did. And then we went through the process. And boy, it was strange how it all shook out. He decided to come, really, in the middle of preseason camp for us. And so it was a little bit strange. But again, with college football, you look to adapt the best you can.”

Ryan Day understood Quinn Ewers transferring

Although Ryan Day and Ohio State actively recruited Quinn Ewers, the Buckeyes coach understood why the QB transferred out.

Ohio State had CJ Stroud as their QB so Ewers left to go to Texas so he could have a chance to start.

“And then CJ really had a great season that season. And he decided he really wanted to play,” Day said. “It was disappointing for us, but we certainly understood. And from afar, I’ve watched him, and he’s got a lot of talent.

"He’s a really good player. He comes from a great family. And he’s had a great career at Texas. And a lot of people here still have good relationships with him and think the world of him.”

Ewers will go up against Day and Ohio State, who are six-point favorites.