As Ryan Day envisions his star pupil succeeding in the NFL, picturing him in a Giants uniform requires a little less imagination.

Before Day replaced Urban Meyer as Ohio State’s head coach, he was the Buckeyes offensive play-caller when one-year starter Dwayne Haskins set 28 school records and seven Big Ten records, including single-season passing yards (4,831) and passing touchdowns (50).

Three years before he was paired with Haskins, Day worked as quarterbacks coach on an Eagles staff that included offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, now the Giants head coach.

So the, line connecting Shurmur to Haskins runs through Day. Are they a good fit together?

“Yeahhh," Day enthusiastically told Advance Media during a 1-on-1 interview Wednesday during Haskins’ Pro Day. "Yeah, for sure. I think he fits that system really well.”

Shurmur’s offense is designed around high-percentage throws — Saquon Barkley set a rookie running back record with 91 receptions and the Giants employ two tight ends as often as any team in the NFL — building towards pushing the ball deep.

Haskins completed 70 percent of his throws — sometimes playing pitch-and-catch near the line of scrimmage with superior open-space athletes and other times driving the ball into a tight window — and his arm strength is not a question.

Thoughts on @dh_simba7 Pro Day workout..

1. A+ arm talent

2. MLB pitcher with every pitch in the bag. Drive throws, touch, timing & anticipation.

3. Game/Arm talent fits old school systems



DH is the classic drop back passer who has dominated the league the past 30 years — Bucky Brooks (@BuckyBrooks) March 20, 2019

In fact, most of the knocks on Haskins before he impressed a Pro Day crowd of coaches and scouts pertain to his mobility in and out of the pocket. In other words, the same questions that have followed Manning, who took a career-high 47 sacks in 2018, even during two Super Bowl wins.

Shurmur wants his quarterback to be able to run bootlegs and naked bootlegs in order to change the throw spot as well as possess the ability to clear his feet and vision in a crowded pocket. Haskins checks those boxes.

“I think he would fit just about any NFL system," Day said. "The pocket stuff is obviously what he does best. Not a lot of teams run ride-and-decide, things like that, but we were spread out this year and he could do that. So I think he can handle all that stuff.”

If the Giants draft a first-round quarterback, he likely will have to sit at least most of the season behind Manning, who counts for $23.2 million against the salary cap on the final year of his contract. The Giants are "not looking to make a midseason transition” because that would imply anticipating being non-competitive.

But can Haskins come in and run the same offense as Eli with little schematic change?

“He can do all that for sure," Day said.

The possibility for the match the Giants have been looking for in identifying Manning’s successor could be why Shurmur, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Mike Shula, assistant general manager Kevin Abrams and director of college scouting Chris Pettit were on hand for Ohio State’s Pro Day.

General manager Dave Gettleman, who is not shy about wanting (but not forcing) a quarterback pick in 2019, prefers to evaluate film.

“They definitely have shown interest,” Haskins said. "I’m going to give every team everything I’ve got in all the meetings and all the workouts I have going up to the draft. To even be considered by New York as a kid growing up as a fan is a true blessing.”

Ryan Dunleavy may be reached at rdunleavy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rydunleavy. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.