Georgia Tech Reportedly Reaches Out To Ohio State Transfer Running Back Dallan Hayden

Jackson Caudell | Apr 17, 2024

Mar 7, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Dallan Hayden (5) runs during / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA

The Spring Transfer Portal Window opened yesterday and there was a flurry of activity. From players entering and schools reaching out, yesterday was a very busy day across college football.

One of the top transfers to enter the portal yesterday was Ohio State running back Dallan Hayden. According to On3 Sports Steve Wiltfong, Georgia Tech is one of the schools that has reached out to Hayden so far in this process. Colorado, UCLA, Louisville, Auburn, and Virginia Tech were the other schools that Wiltfong mentioned.

One of the most talented players in the transfer portal, former Ohio State RB Dallan Hayden says "Colorado, UCLA, Louisville, Auburn, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech" are the programs he's heard from so far.

In the 2023 campaign, Hayden made three appearances, tallying 19 carries… pic.twitter.com/jtqJCXOPDb

— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong_) April 16, 2024

Hayden is a talented back, but Ohio State has one of the most stacked running back rooms in the country with TreVeyon Henderson and Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins leading the backfield for the Buckeyes.

This is an interesting scenario for the Yellow Jackets. Jamal Haynes had a huge season in 2023 and looks like he might be even better in 2024. He had a great performance on Saturday, but who provides depth is still a bit of a question mark. The Yellow Jackets have a talented freshman with Anthony Carrie and some veterans such as Trey Cooley, Evan Dickens, and Chad Alexander all competing right now for that No. 2 spot behind Haynes and nobody seemed to separate on Saturday. Hayden could come in and be the No. 2 back behind Haynes, forming one of the ACC's top running back duos. Keep an eye on this going forward.

Here are some stats and info on Hayden courtesy of Ohio State Athletics:

Ohio State Overview• Dallan played in 10 games as a true freshman and earned his first Varsity O letter• He was the team’s third-leading rusher in 2022 with 553 yards and a 5.0 yards-per-carry average off 111 carries and five touchdowns• Produced three 100-yard rushing games led by 146 yards off 27 carries with three touchdowns in the win over Maryland• Started in the College Football Playoff semifinals vs. Georgia and carried nine times for a team-high 43 yards• His eight-yard TD run in the third quarter vs. Maryland gave Ohio State the lead for good, 17-13, and he followed that with crucial 3- and 13-yard touchdown runs to help lead Ohio State to a 43-30 win• Netted 108 yards off 17 carries with one touchdown vs. Toledo, and he had 102 yards off 19 carries with one touchdown vs. Indiana• Also caught four passes for 23 yards

More on Dallan• Dallan was a member of the 2022 Ohio State recruiting class and joined the team in June 2022• Dallan was a four-star recruit who rated among the top 25 running backs nationally in the Class of 2022• Twice named the Tennessee Titans Division II-AAA  Mr. Football award winner• Named the offensive player of the year for Division II-AAA West after rushing for 2,002 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2021• In 23 games over his junior and senior seasons, Hayden amassed 4,012 yards (174.4 per game) and scored 57 touchdowns• Back to back 2,000-yard seasons as a junior and senior• Had a final stat line of 2,010 yards on 232 carries with 24 touchdowns as a junior• Parents are ChaToya and Aaron Hayden• His dad played at Tennessee and in the NFL for San Diego, Green Bay and Philadelphia; brother, Chase, played collegiately at Arkansas and Illinois