Ryan Day addresses Ohio State's plan for Dallan Hayden, potential redshirt

Ryan Day alluded to Ohio State’s potential plan of redshirting running back Dallan Hayden. The head coach cited the need to save him from burning games since he’s not within the regular top three rotation at the position.

Hayden played in 10 games last year and was great as a freshman when filling in for injured guys such as TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams. However, Hayden played in just one game this season, catching one pass for -2 yards.

Day mentioned this was the plan going into the year, most likely, with Hayden.

“We talked about it in the preseason, going into the season,” Day said. “And what we didn’t want to do is put Dallan in a situation where, with three running backs, we were gonna use up a year of eligibility for him. Now, he’s ready to go, he’s practicing.

“And if appropriate, we’ll put him in the game. We also don’t want to have him play in five or six games without getting a bunch of work in. We just don’t think that’s the right thing to do for Dallan.”

Dallan Hayden likely to redshirt for Ohio State

Last season, Hayden ran 111 times for 553 yards, five touchdowns, five yards per carry, four catches and 23 receiving yards.

“But Dallan’s ready to go,” Day said. “Dallan’s great about it. And if it’s appropriate, he will go in because he still has four games to play. And then we wouldn’t burn a whole year of eligibility with Dallan as we look into the future.

“Because we do think he’s great. We think he’s a really good player. We got three guys already there. So that’s kind of the conversation that we had. He was great. He’s working hard.”

As a member of the Class of 2022, Hayden was four-star recruit out of Memphis (Tenn.) Christian Brothers, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 7 overall prospect in the state, the No. 19 running back in the class and the No. 246 overall prospect in the class.

Without Hayden running the football this season, Ohio State has a more balanced approach with Henderosn and Deomonte Trayanum, with Williams taking a modest backseat.

Henderson is the leading rusher with 44 carries for 295 yards and five touchdowns while Trayanum has 45 carries for 207 yards and three touchdowns.

Unless something changes, it looks like Hayden will sit on the sidelines and save a year before 2024.