Ryan Day's Son Commits to Ohio State's Big Ten Rival

The next four years will likely be turbulent for Ryan Day.

Ohio State has won or shared the Big Ten championship in four of his seven seasons as head coach, but now any future conference championships will come with a bit of a sour note attached.

Day's son RJ, a three-star quarterback recruit in the class of 2027, announced his commitment to Ohio State's Big Ten rival Northwestern on Sunday. The news came as a bit of a shock to some fans, especially since some believed RJ was destined to join his dad in Columbus.

But as he admitted to Fan Stream Radio Ohio, RJ didn't want his college career overshadowed by his national champion father.

"Coming into it, I just feel like a lot of people would have their own reservations about why I'm there," R.J. said. "I want to do something on my own. A lot of my life has been about being someone's son. I feel personally that I want to go do something for myself and try to make a name for myself instead of just being someone's son."

The family dynamic at the Day dinner table will presumably be a little spicier given the father-son duo are now conference rivals. Ohio State holds a 66-14-1 edge in the all-time series, which includes an active 11-game win streak.

Northwestern may not be a national, or even a Big Ten power, but the school is coming off a 7-6 season, capped off with a 34-7 win over Central Michigan in the Game Above Sports Bowl.

With starting quarterback Preston Stone set to graduate, the door is open for R.J. to at least compete for playing time as a freshman - something he wouldn't get at Ohio State.

"For me, looking at the name of the school or the size of the school isn't as important as you'd think," R.J. continued. "I just wasn't to find a place that fits me and who I am and fits the player that I will become. Like we say all the time, I could [go to Ohio State] if I wanted to, but would it be a great fit? I don't believe so.

"I don't think that Ohio State would be a good fit for me…and I've said this to pretty much everybody that's recruited me, it's about the fit and the people that are in the building."

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This story was originally published May 10, 2026 at 10:52 PM.