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A good father, a good coach—flip the script, the truth holds. Ryan Day wasn’t just out there building QB factories at Ohio State. He’s also doing it at home. His son, RJ Day, garnered attention this past season while his dad faced a hot seat and criticism for losing The Game against Michigan. RJ felt school was tough because “he had grown men coming after him,” leading the Day fam to hire security. Now, after all that turmoil and the Buckeyes lifting the national championship, what could be better than seeing his son earn recognition? RJ Day just dropped another significant update that college football fans will want to hear. Still only a rising junior, he’s already attracting interest and receiving offers like a seasoned player. And now, he’s landed another big-time offer—this time, not from the MAC. 

On May 4, RJ Day took to his X account to show his gratitude to Coach Todd Fitch and his team for his latest CFB offer. “Thank you @CoqchTFitch for offering me a scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte!!” Maybe UNC at Charlotte may not scream blue blood just yet, but this AAC squad isn’t the first big offer Ryan Day’s son has gotten so far. And it signals that the momentum is real. 

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Just a day earlier, Cincinnati came calling for RJ Day. That’s a former AAC powerhouse playing in the Big 12 now. That’s real football, a major Power Four program. QB coach Pete Thomas extended the offer, and the young QB was fired up. “Cincinnati is a great program that I have a ton of respect for and Coach Thomas has done a great job recruiting. And Coach (Scott) Satterfield is an offense-first guy,” the 6’1, 203-pound QB said. 

Now, RJ Day isn’t just Ryan Day’s son. He’s the real deal who just wrapped up his sophomore season at Francis DeSales in Columbus by literally rewriting record books. He became the all-time leading passer at an 84-year-old program. In 2024, he finished the regular season with 1,425 yards and 14 TDs against just three picks. Add that to his 2023 freshman campaign where he recorded 1,568 yards and 15 TDs with a 71.1 percent completion rate. And you’re looking at a two-year stat line of 2,993 yards and 29 TDs. And he isn’t just a pocket passer either. 

RJ has also rushed for 336 yards and five scores and isn’t afraid to take a hit. He plays like a true coach’s son, tough, smart, and obsessed with the details. And what makes this whole journey more emotional is what Ryan Day said.

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Ryan Day didn’t hide his emotions for RJ Day

You could hear it in his voice: this isn’t just recruiting anymore. “As fast as this is going, and has gone, knowing he’s going to be in college in two years is terrifying,” Ryan Day admitted on ESPN College GameDay Podcast.He’s my best friend, so he comes to Woody all the time, he’s at games with me and we’re able to share this game of football together. He’s obsessed with the game. So that’s been really cool.” Sounds like a dad speaking huh? But wait till you hear this deeply personal confession. 

You know at the end of the day, when we go on these recruiting visits, I don’t really care about the facilities or the weight room,” Ryan Day added. “I just want to know who’s going to help raise my son. Who are the men that are going to be around to help him become a better football player, but a better man off the field, and is actually going to care about him. I think that makes us all better coaches when you look at it like that. And that’s the truth. Because you can really say it, but until you really go through it, it’s different.” This is a full-circle moment for the Buckeyes HC, who was once a Gatorade Player of the Year in New Hampshire, as he watches his son carve out his path. 

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And RJ Day is just getting started. He’s got 11 offers already, including Marshall, Boston College, Toledo, Akron, and more. Visits to Appalachian State, Iowa State, and Northwestern are also coming up. So let’s just say the Day name will remain a big one in upcoming conversations. 

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