RJ Day commits to Northwestern, joining Chip Kelly and David Braun for Class of 2027
Northwestern University secures a significant recruit by uniting the son of Ohio State coach Ryan Day with his former mentor, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly.
RJ Day, a three-star quarterback from St. Francis de Sales in Columbus, Ohio, has officially committed to Northwestern University for the Class of 2027. The decision marks a strategic move for the recruit to join the program under head coach David Braun, where he will serve as a key building block for the upcoming season.
This commitment represents a rejection of several power conference offers, including invitations from Boston College, Cincinnati, Purdue, and Syracuse. By choosing the Wildcats, Day prioritises a specific coaching environment over the prestige of other major programs, aligning his career path with a distinct institutional approach to development.
A central element of this decision is the prospect of working alongside offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. Day will reunite with Kelly, who previously coached his father, Ryan Day, during Kelly's tenure as offensive coordinator at New Hampshire. The younger Day is set to continue a coaching lineage that has already produced significant success, having witnessed his father win the 2024 national championship under Kelly's guidance at Ohio State.
Day's recruitment timeline reflects a deliberate evaluation process. He secured an offer from Northwestern on 29 April and subsequently conducted an official visit on 4 May before finalising his commitment. This structured approach underscores the recruit's focus on academic and football alignment within the university's framework.
The recruit brings a proven track record to the Wildcats' spring roster, having established school records at St. Francis de Sales with over 5,700 career passing yards and 54 touchdowns. His junior season alone saw him accumulate 2,710 yards and 25 touchdowns, both ranking as the single-season highs in school history.
Northwestern's 2027 recruiting class is already ranked in the top 50 nationally and features five early commitments. The addition of Day strengthens a roster that currently lists eight quarterbacks, with Michigan State transfer Aidan Chiles projected as a senior starter. The institution also previously signed three-star quarterback Johnny O'Brien for the Class of 2026.
