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Ohio State planning to redshirt running back Dallan Hayden

IMG_7408by:Andy Backstrom•10/10/23•

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Dallan Hayden by Matt Parker -- Lettermen Row --
(Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)

COLUMBUS — Ohio State is planning on redshirting running back Dallan Hayden. After finishing as the Buckeyes’ third-leading rusher as a true freshman last season, Hayden has played in just one of the first five games in 2023.

“We talked about it in the preseason, going into the season,” Ohio State head coach Ryan Day explained. “And what we didn’t want to do is put Dallan in a situation where, with three running backs [already], 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.”

Ohio State’s rushing attack has been led by TreVeyon Henderson, Chip Trayanum and Miyan Williams this season.

Hayden’s three offensive snaps came at Indiana in the season opener. He didn’t register a rushing attempt, but he did catch a pass from Ohio State backup quarterback Devin Brown in the fourth quarter. That reception, though, went for -2 yards.

Hayden joined Ohio State in the summer of 2022 after ranking as the No. 19 running back and No. 7 Tennessee prospect in his class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

Hayden went from occupying the back half of the Ohio State running back depth chart to arguably saving the Buckeyes’ season at Maryland. It was during that Week 12 matchup in College Park that Hayden erupted for 143 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the second half.

Thrust into action because of an injury-riddled Ohio State backfield, Hayden stepped up when called upon, including in the Peach Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal, where he made his first career start.

Hayden finished last season with 553 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. But, of his 111 carries, 77 (or 69.4%), came in four games.

The way things are going, Hayden won’t come close to touching that number this season.

“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 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.”

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