Ohio State head coach Ryan Day will soon be facing a family member in Big Ten action. St. Francis DeSales quarterback RJ Day, the son of the Buckeyes’ coach, has committed to Northwestern as part of its 2027 recruiting class, he announced Sunday. The younger Day did not receive an offer from Ohio State, choosing the Wildcats over interest from Purdue, Cincinnati, Boston College, South Florida, and two other Big Ten programs.
Rated as a three-star prospect, RJ Day is ranked by 247 Sports as the 86th-best quarterback in his class. During his high school career, he set program records as a three-year starter, finishing as the all-time leading passer for the Stallions with 5,714 yards and 54 touchdowns.
A key factor in his recruitment appears to be Northwestern’s revamped offensive staff under coordinator Chip Kelly. Kelly previously worked with Ryan Day at Ohio State, serving as the Buckeyes’ play-caller during their 2024 national championship season. The hire creates a full-circle connection: Kelly also coached Ryan Day when the latter was the star quarterback at New Hampshire from 1998 to 2001. Now, Kelly will transition to coaching Day’s son.
RJ Day’s commitment adds a unique storyline to Northwestern’s recruiting class, given his family ties to one of the most prominent coaches in college football. It also marks a rare crossover between a Big Ten program and the son of an active Ohio State head coach. Day joins a growing class under coach David Braun, which includes three-star offensive lineman Josiah Wallace, tight end Wyatt Frey, and offensive linemen Brady Johnson and Cade Reikowski.
Moving from Columbus to Evanston, RJ Day trades the shadow of his father’s program for the chance to build his own Big Ten legacy. His arrival adds an extra layer of family drama to future conference matchups, with Northwestern scheduled to face Ohio State in 2027.
