Ohio State Buckeyes Plan To Redshirt RB Dallan Hayden

Ryan Day plans on saving Dallan Hayden's legs for the 2024 season after the emergence of Miyan Williams and Chip Trayanum

Ohio State running back Dallan Hayden was a staple in last season's 43-30 win over Maryland on the road. This year, Hayden was nowhere to be found in a 37-17 win against the Terps in Week 6.

In reality, Hayden has rarely seen the field at any capacity this fall. That's because the Buckeyes plan to redshirt him for the remainder of the 2023 season. 

“He's ready to go,” Buckeyes coach Ryan Day said. “He's practicing, and if appropriate, we'll put him in the game, but we 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.”

Hayden, a sophomore from Memphis, Tenn, only saw a handful of reps in Week 1's win over Indiana. He caught a pass from backup quarterback Devin Brown in the fourth quarter for a loss of two yards. 

Ohio State running back Dallan Hayden (No. 5) celebrates a touchdown run against the Maryland Terrapins / USAToday-Sports

According to the NCAA ruling set in 2018, players qualify for a redshirt due to injury or if they play less than four games during the regular season. Hayden could still play in three more games and remain a redshirt candidate for the 2024 season. 

Day said he spoke to Hayden of the idea prior to the start of the regular season in hopes of saving his upside for the long-term future. Senior TreVeyon Henderson leads the team in rushing yards (295), while fellow senior Chip Trayanum leads the team in carries (45). Miyan Williams also has been a factor in short-yardage situations, totaling 25 carries for 96 yards. 

“Dallan’s great about it,” Day said.

Injuries last fall opened the door for Hayden to carve out a role on the offense. He rushed for a career-best 46 yards and three touchdowns in the victory and averaged 5.4 yards per play. 

Hayden proved he could handle the workload the previous week in a win over Indiana when he rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. The former four-star also totaled nine carries for 46 yards in the College Football Playoff Peach Bowl loss against Georgia. 

Day's plan on redshirting Hayden is more about retaining a year of positive production. If injuries begin to stockpile like last season, the Buckeyes will have no choice but to turn to the underclassman. 

But Day views Hayden as part of the long-term plan for Ohio State's ground game. Henderson, Trayanum and Williams are all eligible to enter the NFL draft next year, thus opening the door for Hayden once more. 

"He's a really good player," Day said of Hayden. 

The Buckeyes hit the road to take on Purdue this Saturday at noon E.T.