Ohio State and Ryan Day have found their replacement for Ryan Stamper. Former OSU player C.J. Barnett will be taking on the same role, as first reported by Tony Gerdeman of Buckeye Scoop.
Stamper, who decided to join former Buckeye head coach Urban Meyer in Jacksonville, worked as the Director of Player Development in Columbus under Meyer and Day. His job was described as “an administrative resource for players in all areas of their development.” It is assumed that the same role will continue with Barnett.
Barnett played safety for the Buckeyes from 2010-2013, and was a team captain his senior season. Prior to being hired by Day, he was most recently a Columbus Police officer, joining the force in July of 2018. He had a cup of coffee with the New York Giants in 2014 but never made an appearance in a regular-season game.
Now, Barnett — whose official job title is listed as Director, Player Development and External Affairs — will likely be responsible for all the holistic development of players in the program, including community outreach and “Real-Life Wednesdays” that have become a staple of the culture at Ohio State.
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