Skip to main content
ohio-state logo

Ohio State safety target Malik Hartford sets commitment date

Jeremy-Birminghamby:Jeremy Birmingham•03/31/22•

Birm

On3 image
Malik Hartford has set his commitment date and will decide on April 6. (Birm/Lettermen Row)

COLUMBUS — Ohio State target Malik Hartford will announce his college decision on April 6.

The Buckeyes offered the 6-foot-3, 175-pound defensive back from Lakota West (West Chester, Ohio) High School in January. That offer came shortly after the hiring of Perry Eliano from Cincinnati. Eliano had been recruiting Hartford extremely aggressively for the Bearcats and his influence may have led to the Ohio State offer. Despite now working for another school, Hartford told Lettermen Row that he noticed no change from Eliano.

“Coach Eliano is definitely the same guy,” Malik Hartford said. “Just because he’s in a different position he’s not going to change his personality. It’s just enhanced it because now he’s got resources he didn’t before.”

Hartford will make his decision from seven schools that he named as his top schools in February. He made a number of college visits, including a pair of trips to Ohio State, in the last three months. He’s also visited Notre Dame, Michigan State, Michigan and Cincinnati while adding offers from national powerhouse programs like Alabama this spring.

With a decision date now looming, Hartford has a chance to lock in his spot wherever he chooses. The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine has the Buckeyes as a strong favorite to land the state’s No. 3-ranked prospect ahead of his announcement. It’s a decision that hasn’t been made emotionally by Malik Hartford.

“When I take a step back and think about it, it’s all kind of surreal,” Hartford said in early March. “[Ohio State] is a top program and who wouldn’t want to play for one of those top schools? I feel like after every visit I make it’s hard because every trip is a great experience. The coaches always make it a great experience.

“I don’t really have a date for a decision, but it won’t be an “in the moment” type of decision. I’ve got Michigan State on March 15 and Notre Dame on March 17. From there I’ll decide what my top schools are going to be.”

The decision has been made and Malik Hartford will tell the world his choice on April 6.

You may also like