'It Shows His Mental Preparation!' Buckeyes Coach Ryan Day Praises Dallan Hayden

Ohio State Buckeyes running back Dallan Hayden had only recorded one reception all season prior to his emergency appearance Saturday, but he showed why he belonged.

On a Saturday morning when the Ohio State Buckeyes knew they would be without Miyan Williams and TreVeyon Henderson, finding a "next man up" was crucial. 

Henderson was a game-time decision for the Buckeyes, meaning that when kickoff arrived and neither he or Williams were ready to go, Chip Trayanum was that man.

And then he got hurt, too. 

Trayanum's injury came late in the first quarter after the senior took a hard hit on a routine play. What made matters worse, however, was what happened to Trayanum on his way off of the field. 

Not only did he have trouble reaching the sideline, he stumbled — a sign of a potential head injury — meaning he was done for the game, if not longer. That left Dallan Hayden, who, by proxy, was now the next man up for Ohio State. 

Oct. 14, 2023; Lafayette, In., USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Dallan Hayden (5) is pursued by Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Sanoussi Kane (21) during the second half of Saturday's NCAA Division I football game at Ross-Ade Stadium in Lafayette :: © Barbara J. Perenic/The Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Hayden's sudden role switch during the Buckeyes' rout of the Purdue Boilermakers was telling. In just 11 carries, the sophomore tallied 76 yards and a score to help keep Ohio State's run game alive. He wasn't expected to run at an All-American level — especially not with the limited experience he'd had as a first-option running back — but he was expected to hold his own on offense. 

Safe to say, Hayden did that and more.

“I think he’s got really good feet," Buckeyes coach Ryan Day said. "I think when the ball is in his hands, that’s when he’s at his best." 

The young running back had ample opportunities to touch the ball and prove that, and considering that was only 11 times against Purdue, he did well. Prior to Saturday's road contest, Hayden had only notched one reception for the Buckeyes, which went for negative yardage. 

So, stepping into a brand new role wasn't exactly supposed to "go well" for Hayden, but the Buckeyes hoped it would, and rightfully so. Hayden made things happen, which only furthered the praise he received from his coach postgame.

"It shows his mental preparation," Day said. "He hasn’t played much this year. So to be able to go do that says a lot about his preparation.”

The Buckeyes' ability to develop players behind the scenes is second to none. There's a reason Ohio State leads college football in total NFL Draft picks — and first round ones, too. It's attention to detail for players that aren't starting speaks levels, and Hayden is the latest testament to that. He was the next man up, and he took full advantage of that opportunity. 

But while it shines on the Buckeyes as a whole, it also shines on Hayden himself — the next Ohio State running back who will likely be getting much more attention after proving himself.