COLUMBUS, Ohio — Big Ten Media Day is the first chance reporters have to speak to players and coaches before the season kicks into high gear.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day spoke about what it’s going to take for the Buckeyes to get back to their expectations of winning a National Championship. But another big theme was protecting the health of the team from COVID-19.
In 2020, the coronavirus left a mark on every football program in the nation, including the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Schedule changes, a shortened season and even Day coming down with the virus all impacted the team.
This year, a lot of people are curious how about how the Buckeyes will manage to stay healthy, especially with delta variant cases rising.
“There’s certain risks with everything,” Day said. “I think there’s risks with the virus. I think there’s risks with the vaccine. There’s risk with testing positive, contract tracing, not being able to play.”
Day said the majority of the team has already gotten the shot, but the university is leaving the choice up to the players.
“I think it’s each guy’s personal decision,” Buckeyes Defensive End Zach Harrison said. “Whatever they feel safe that what they should do.”
Senior tight end Jeremy Ruckert said he’s fully vaccinated.
“I think it’s out there for a reason,” Ruckert said. “Being able to not get tested every day, not having the thing up your nose every day is definitely a part of why I got vaccinated.”
Ruckert said he happily received the shot to look out for his health and others, but it’s up to the individual.
“I didn’t feel pressured,” Ruckert said. “I don’t pressure anyone else into getting it. It’s your decision, it’s your body so.”
As of now, the university plans to allow fans back without capacity restriction.
That’s something senior tackle Thayer Munford can’t wait for.
“It was so quiet,” Munford said. “It was so weird to play a game in the stadium without nobody there. It felt like a practice, but I just can’t wait to have them back.”
Day said the team has big goals, and it’s easy to focus on getting back to the National Championship game, but the team needs to take care of what’s ahead of them first.
“How do we win that first game at Minnesota with a young team. We’re gonna have a young quarterback and, you know, we have to start the season really strong,” Day said. “This preseason is going to be very important to us and we really have to come out of the gate strong and harden ourselves as we come out of the first game.
The OSU season starts with a road contest against Minnesota on Sept. 2.
