National Championship Coach Suggests Major Change That Could Reshape College Football Recruiting

College football continues to evolve, and some within the sport believe its structure could eventually resemble that of the NFL. Ryan Day, head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes football, said that the possibility is not as far-fetched as it may seem.

Day has led Ohio State for eight seasons, compiling an 82-12 record and winning a national championship in 2024. His success places him among the most influential voices in the sport as major changes continue to unfold. While college football already shares some similarities with the professional level, key differences remain.

One of the most significant changes in recent years has been the introduction of name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities, allowing players to be compensated. In addition, the transfer portal has created a system that mirrors aspects of free agency in the NFL.

However, college football still lacks several defining features of the professional model, including a universal salary cap and a formal draft system.

Despite those differences, Day said a draft-like structure could eventually become part of college football. Speaking with Kevin Clark on "This is Football," Day outlined the challenges and possibilities of implementing such a system.

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day looks on. | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

"Creating a structure that you can enforce the rules," Day said. "That's not just easy. It's not too far-fetched for me to think there's a way to actually have a draft and build it like the NFL."

The concept would represent a significant shift in how teams are built, moving away from traditional recruiting and toward a more centralized system. Day acknowledged that such a transition would require extensive planning and support.

Day feels that they have to have the enforcement system to enforce the rules if they want to change college athletics and make it not the Wild Wild West that it has become. But as he said, this won't be an easy change for the sport. It will take time and a lot of investment if they are going to help fix a sport that so many love.

“We are going to need a lot of help to get there,” Day said. “That’s not happening overnight.”

Day also emphasized that college athletics is at a crossroads. According to him, the current model sits somewhere between its traditional structure and a fully professional system. He described the sport as being in “purgatory,” suggesting that it must eventually commit to one direction.

That decision, he said, comes down to two options: either return to the pre-NIL structure or fully embrace a professional-style model. Without clear direction, maintaining consistency and enforcing rules becomes increasingly difficult.

Day pointed to enforcement as one of the most critical components of any future system. Establishing consistent rules and ensuring they are followed would be essential to creating stability across the sport. He noted that the current landscape has led to concerns about imbalance and lack of oversight.

While the idea of a draft may still seem unlikely in the near term, the broader conversation reflects how rapidly college football is changing. As financial structures and player movement continue to evolve, leaders within the sport are exploring new ways to create order and sustainability.

Whether those changes ultimately lead to an NFL-style model remains uncertain, but the discussion itself signals a pivotal moment for college athletics.

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