Ohio State Running Back Dallan Hayden Reportedly Plans To Enter Transfer Portal

According to a report from 247Sports on Monday, Ohio State running back Dallan Hayden plans to enter the transfer portal once the spring window opens on April 16.

Ohio State running back Dallan Hayden has informed the Buckeyes staff that he plans to enter the transfer portal when the spring portal window opens, sources tell @247sports.

Hayden, a former four-star recruit and the son of former Tennessee and NFL RB Aaron Hayden, ran for 553… pic.twitter.com/kwcfMuUffn

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) April 8, 2024

Hayden was set for his third season at Ohio State. He played significantly as a freshman, finishing third on the team in rushing with 553 yards and earning a start in the College Football Playoff against Georgie.

But Hayden’s usage decreased as head coach Ryan Day and the staff made the decision to utilize a redshirt for Hayden, limiting him to three games and just 19 rushing attempts and 110 yards.

“I understood. It was a mutual agreement, for sure,” Hayden said last week of taking a redshirt. “Obviously, I wanted be on the field, because freshman year I played and then got redshirted, so it was tough. But everything happens for a reason.”

Hayden is a former four-star out of Christian Brothers in Memphis, Tenn., and was Ohio State’s lone signee at running back in either the 2022 or 2023 recruiting classes.

While Hayden’s departure hurts Ohio State’s depth at running back, the Buckeyes are still set at the position with TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins set to split carries. Incoming freshmen James Peoples and Sam Williams-Dixon are also on scholarship, and Day has also spoken this spring about the value walk-on running back TC Caffey will offer.