2022 Running Back Dallan Hayden selected Ohio State over Tennessee two days ago to join Tony Alford and the OSU staff next year. He is considered the 24th best tailback in the nation and had offers from Illinois, Auburn, Arkansas, Notre Dame and Tennessee. Some predicted he was going to the Volunteers early on including Kentucky Insider Josh Edwards and 247Sports Director Kevin Ryan. But as the recruiting season progressed it become clear in April and June that he was going to be a Buckeye.

What Ohio State Got in Dallan Hayden

From Christian Brothers in Memphis Tennessee, the rugged 5’11” 195 lbs. back had a great impact as a junior and demonstrated his speed and toughness (2,010 yards and 24 tds). Likes to make the right cut at the line of scrimmage and burst forward. Showed his ability to block and run routes this past year.

His father, Aaron Hayden, played in the NFL and was also a running back for Tennessee, while his brother Chase Hayden is currently playing for Illinois. Master Teague is a current running back for OSU that also came out of Tennessee.

Dallan Hayden Visits

Hayden visited Ohio State in March and came away feeling good about the program. He began taking official visits in June going to Illinois and Notre Dame. Then he visited Ohio State again and met with head coach Ryan Day and athletic director Gene Smith. He felt the discussion with Smith was a “game-changer” for him. Evan Pryor was his host on campus and having two skilled freshman in the running backs room did not intimidate Hayden.

Ohio State 2022 Class

Ohio State succeeded in getting a top running back into the 2022 class after having a lot of success at the position in 2021, not always the easiest thing to do. He joins a number of other top prospects (14 in total) in the Ohio State 2022 class that is currently ranked as the best in the country.

Dallan Hayden: Running back goes in-depth on his decision to commit to Ohio State over Notre Dame