2023 West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West Safety Malik Hartford Commits To Ohio State

The Buckeyes just secured a pledge from the state's top-rated defensive back.

Ohio State landed a key in-state commitment on Wednesday afternoon when West Chester Lakota West four-star safety Malik Hartford pledged his services to the Buckeyes over finalists Cincinnati, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame and West Virginia. 

H⭕️ME‼️ pic.twitter.com/EdO4KvlNwB

— Malik Hartford🤴🏽 (@MalikHartford) April 6, 2022

“Just the overall program," Hartford said when asked why he picked the Buckeyes during his commitment show on CBS Sports HQ. "It’s a great program. I have plenty of opportunities going there. I want to get developed and they can do that.”

The 6-foot-3 and 175-pound Hartford, who is considered the 11th-best safety and No. 146 prospect overall in the class of 2023, landed an offer from Ohio State following an unofficial visit on Jan. 22.  

He spent a considerable amount of time that afternoon with head coach Ryan Day, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and safeties coach Perry Eliano, who was actually the first coach to offer him a scholarship when he was with the Bearcats.

How Hartford’s Commitment Impacts Ohio State’s 2023 Recruiting Class

After naming his top seven schools in mid-February, Hartford returned to Columbus for a second unofficial visit on March 10, giving him a chance to spend more time with the staff and watch spring practice. He also visited the Fighting Irish, Spartans and Wolverines last month, which helped him come to a decision.

Hartford now becomes the sixth member of the Buckeyes’ 2023 recruiting class, joining Findlay, Ohio, four-star offensive tackle Luke Montgomery; Thompson’s Station (Tenn.) Independence four-star tight end Ty Lockwood; Huber Heights (Ohio) Wayne four-star offensive guard Joshua Padilla; Titusville (Fla.) Cocoa four-star safety Cedrick Hawkins; and Dublin (Ohio) Coffman three-star defensive lineman Will Smith Jr.

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