Bulked up Dallan Hayden ‘staying ready’ to make greater impact after first full offseason

COLUMBUS — At the time a true freshman, running back Dallan Hayden rushed for 101 yards after contact while helping Ohio State escape Maryland with a second-half comeback victory in Week 12 last season. That means that 69.2% of his rushing yards in his breakout, three-touchdown performance versus the Terrapins came after contact.

That’s according to Pro Football Focus, which also lists Hayden’s yards after contact per carry that game at 3.74 yards.

What’s even more impressive is that, back then, Hayden was 195 pounds or, in his words now, “pretty light.”

Since then, he’s gained 10 pounds. The Memphis native and Christian Brothers product stands 5-foot-10, 205.

“I’d say my body, for sure,” Hayden said Saturday, when asked about his biggest change in the last year. “That was one of my goals, was to gain some weight, gain some muscle.”

The sophomore Buckeyes back, who joined the program as a summer arrival in June 2022, has been working hard with strength and conditioning coach Mickey Marotti this offseason. From the end of last season until the start of spring ball, Hayden tacked on eight pounds. And, according to the updated Ohio State training camp roster, he added two more pounds before preseason.

“He played some in the fall, but he’s still maturing,” longtime Ohio State running backs coach Tony Alford said in April. “He’s changing his body. He’s finally learning the game, and I think he’s starting to understand just how important it is to study the game.”

Alford continued: “I don’t mean watch highlight videos. I mean, actually study the game and what’s going on and taking care of his body.”

Alford noted that Hayden has been great in position group meetings, answering questions “affirmatively.” His growth shows on the field, too.

Along with fellow running back Chip Trayanum, Hayden turned heads during the spring season in the absence of TreVeyon Henderson, Evan Pyror and, on occasion, Miyan Williams.

Stepping up while others are sidelined is nothing new for Hayden, who wound up making his first career start in the Peach Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal against eventual back-to-back national champion Georgia. Hayden logged 43 rushing yards on nine carries, albeit in a losing effort.

“You always gotta be ready because you never know when your number is called,” Hayden said. “I think everybody who followed our room last year saw that. So, just staying ready.”

Hayden later added: “I’m just gonna continue to do what I can. But I feel like I’ve earned my coaches’ trust.”

Part of doing what he can is putting on mass. Hayden said he can feel a bit of a difference carrying that additional weight right now.

But he thinks it will come in handy down the road. Not only does more muscle help running backs endure the wear and tear of a season, but it also helps them run with even more power.

“That’s what you want,” Alford said in April. “That’s what you’re hoping for. And I still think it can be better. He knows that, just his leg strength and lower-body strength as you’re running through contact and running through tackles. But it’s gotten better.”

Hayden finished last season third on the team in rushing, behind Williams and Henderson, with 553 yards and five scores on the ground. But, of his 111 carries, 77, or 69.4%, came in four games.

Without injuries to players ahead of him in the running back room, his workload would have looked significantly different.

So, the question is, how much run will he get in the offense this season? It’s actually a question that really applies to all five returning Ohio State scholarship backs.

Hayden is “locked in” on being the best version of himself.

“Being me,” Hayden said. “Running full speed, playing hard, being violent.”

He’s doing all those things — while 10 pounds stronger than he was last year.

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