**Headline:** RJ Day’s Commitment to Northwestern: A New Chapter in the Day-Kelly Football Saga **Article:**
Quarterback Legacy Continues
In an unexpected turn of events, RJ Day, son of Ohio State’s head coach Ryan Day, has committed to play football at Northwestern University. The 2027 recruit, who attends St. Francis DeSales High School, announced his decision on Saturday, choosing the Wildcats over several other Power Five conference offers.
RJ Day, a three-star quarterback, is ranked No. 86 at his position and No. 50 in the state of Ohio by 247Sports’ composite rankings. His impressive high school career speaks for itself, having racked up 5,714 career passing yards and 54 touchdowns in just three years at DeSales.
Reuniting with Chip Kelly
One of the most intriguing aspects of RJ’s commitment to Northwestern is the reunion with offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. Kelly, who coached Ryan Day at the University of New Hampshire, also served as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator in 2024, leading the Buckeyes to a national championship.
“It’s really surreal when you think about the relationships that we’ve had with those two as a family over the years,” RJ told ESPN’s Eli Lederman. “Coach Kelly coached my dad in college, so that adds another layer to it.”
Path to the Starting Role
With eight quarterbacks currently on Northwestern’s 2026 roster, including seniors Aidan Chiles and Gavin Frakes, RJ Day will have competition. However, with both Chiles and Frakes set to graduate after the 2026 season, and redshirt juniors Nicco Marchiol and Aidan Gray also nearing the end of their eligibility, the path to the starting role should open up for Day by the time he joins the team.
Ohio State’s QB Situation
Ohio State fans might be wondering why RJ Day didn’t choose to follow in his father’s footsteps and join the Buckeyes. Despite his family connections, it doesn’t appear that Ohio State showed serious interest in the senior-to-be. The Buckeyes currently have commitments from 4-star recruit Brady Edmunds and 5-star talent Tavien St. Clair, and have shown a willingness to be aggressive in the transfer portal in the past.
Did You Know?
FAQs
- What position does RJ Day play?
- Quarterback
- Where is RJ Day from?
- Columbus, Ohio. He attends St. Francis DeSales High School.
- When will RJ Day join Northwestern?
- He is a member of the Class of 2027, so he will join the team in 2027.
What’s Next for RJ Day?
As RJ Day looks ahead to his college career, he’ll have the opportunity to learn from one of the best offensive minds in football in Chip Kelly. With an open path to the starting role and a proven track record in high school, the future looks bright for the young quarterback.
Stay tuned to see how RJ Day’s football journey unfolds at Northwestern, and how the next chapter in the Day-Kelly football saga plays out.
Do you think RJ Day made the right choice in committing to Northwestern? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and be sure to explore more college football news and analysis on our website.
