Bjork says Ohio State added 51 new football players

Ohio State football added 51 new players to the roster this season, athletic director Ross Bjork said. He discussed the impact of that expansion during an Oct. 22 interview in his office with university media.

Bjork noted that the new players spent the spring working together but have not yet played in live games. He said the team is building chemistry through daily routines and leadership from head coach Ryan Day. Bjork pointed to the team's academic performance as a foundation for on-field success, citing the best team GPA in the last six semesters and a 1000 Academic Progress Rate score for two consecutive years.

The program faces an immediate challenge with the indefinite absence of quarterback Julian Sayin. Bjork said the team is rallying behind the remaining players, including potential starters Luke Fahey and Tavien St. Clair. He described a hunger in the locker room to prove the team's resilience after losing their leader.

Bjork set high expectations for the men's basketball team, which returns to the NCAA tournament after a year away in 2022. He named head coach Jake Diebler and highlighted the roster's depth and length. Bjork mentioned key retained players John Mobley Jr. and Amare Bynum, alongside freshman Anthony Thompson and transfer L.J. Smith. He stated the minimum goal is a tournament appearance, but the team aims for a long run to match the program's historical standards.

For women's basketball, Bjork said the team has hosted an NCAA regional in each of the last three years without advancing to the Sweet 16. He called that outcome a mental block the program needs to overcome. With coach Cori Close leading the team, Bjork said the addition of players like Jaloni Cambridge and the return of a healthy Elsa Lemmilä position the team to peak at the right time.

Bjork reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining all 36 varsity sports at the university. He said the athletic department has maintained a financial surplus over the last two years, which allows for stable operations. However, he noted that the department must monitor rising costs across the Big Ten and the national college sports landscape. The goal, he said, is to provide the same level of academic, health, and nutritional support to every athlete, from golf to football.

The athletic department is working to improve the atmosphere at the Schottenstein Center for basketball games. Bjork said the arena received a new court and video boards last year. Additional spotlight lighting will be installed to create a more dynamic home court environment for students and fans.